Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100515450900.htm

Tamil Nadu

`Poisoning of overhead tank', twelve hospitalised

A.V. Ragunathan

Villagers allege that it is a clear case of a subversive act

CLEANING UP: Fire service personnel pumping out water from an overhead tank at Sonanchavadi in Cuddalore on Wednesday. — Photo: T. Singaravelou

CUDDALORE: It is alleged that certain miscreants has mixed poison in the overhead tank at Sonanchavadi near here. Eleven women and the tank operator, Rajendran, who were the first to consume the water in the morning, fell sick.

Some of the households that prepared tea by using the water too were affected. They started vomiting and after a while some of them even fainted.

They have been admitted to the Government Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

Since, the incident had occurred at about 6 a.m., the students numbering about 250 of the primary school, located adjacent to the overhead tank, were saved from any ill effect.

Soon after the episode, the villagers disconnected the pipeline from the bore well. The villagers alleged that it was a clear case of a subversive act indulged in by some unidentified persons inimical to them.

They were at a loss to pinpoint anybody. However, they admitted that there used to be frequent quarrels between a section of the people in the nearby Poondiankuppam and that of Sonanchavadi, over the lifting of essential commodities from the ration shop, and the location of a TASMAC outlet. On their complaints, the police have booked cases under Section 277 (mixing poison in a water source) and Section 307 (attempt to murder) of Indian Penal Code.

On information, a strong contingent of police along with the personnel of the Fire Service and Rescue Department rushed to the spot. On the direction of District Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi, they flushed out the water from the tank.

Mr Bedi told The Hindu that the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board had collected the water samples to be tested in the forensic laboratory. For meeting the requirements of the people, the Collector had arranged for supply of water by tankers.

The doctors said all of them, who had been hospitalised, were out of danger.