Sheikhpura, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : Local residents in Sheikhpura, Bihar, staged a dramatic protest on Friday, demanding urgent action regarding severe flooding in their area. Hundreds of women gathered outside the Block Development Officer’s office, brandishing brooms and expressing their frustration. Tensions escalated when one woman reportedly struck the officer with her broom.
The protest turned chaotic as the crowd allegedly attempted to hold administrative officials hostage and even tried to seize weapons from police officers present at the scene.
For the past 15 days, the Kusumbha block of Sheikhpura has been grappling with flooding, which has inundated numerous homes. Villagers have been on a hunger strike for four days, insisting that their area be officially declared flood-affected. The situation intensified on Friday when protesters surrounded the officer’s office.
Images from the scene showed women arguing with officials while others attempted to wrestle a rifle from a police officer. Amid the turmoil, local residents intervened to calm the situation.
Following the unrest, the Block Development Officer visited the hunger strike location to engage with the protesters and urge them to end their fast. However, the villagers remained steadfast in their demand for official recognition of the flooding.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Priyanka Kumari addressed the media, confirming that the residents had gathered to voice their concerns about the flood situation. She mentioned that a proposal had been submitted to a committee formed under the District Magistrate’s leadership and that necessary actions would follow as per departmental guidelines. Kumari also noted that the government was providing essential supplies to the affected areas.
She acknowledged reports of the hostage situation and assured that appropriate measures would be taken against those involved in such actions.
Former legislator Vijay Samrat supported the residents’ demands, emphasizing the need for the area to be officially declared flood-affected, as water continues to surround the region.
Meanwhile, Pappu Raj Mandal, one of the hunger strikers, expressed his deteriorating health, criticizing the officials for their lack of respect and communication with the community.
The protests highlight the urgent need for government intervention in response to the ongoing flood crisis in Sheikhpura.
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