Gujarat BJP Candidate and Father Arrested for Allegedly Disrupting Water Supply After Election Defeat

In a troubling incident following the recent panchayat elections in Gujarat, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Bharuch district, Shakil Malek, along with his father, Khalid Malek, has been arrested for allegedly cutting off the water supply to Dehgam village. This disruption reportedly lasted for nearly four days after Malek’s defeat in the Kavi-2 seat to Sohel Shaikh of the Aam Aadmi Party. The election results were announced on April 26, after polling took place on April 26.

The situation escalated as the village, home to approximately 10,000 residents, found its primary source of drinking water severed on the very day the election outcomes were made public. Khalid Malek, who is the head of the local water committee, oversees the distribution of water sourced from a network connected to the Narmada river. This incident has sparked outrage among villagers, who rely heavily on this supply for their daily needs.

Social media played a crucial role in bringing this incident to light, with videos surfacing that allegedly depict Shakil and Khalid Malek walking through the village wielding swords and intimidating local residents. These alarming visuals prompted the police to take action after verifying their authenticity, leading to the filing of charges against both individuals under the Indian Penal Code for disobeying public service orders.

According to reports, the village sarpanch expressed concerns regarding the safety of the villagers during this unsettling period, stating that the actions of the Maleks have created a climate of fear. The water committee, which is responsible for the management of the village’s water supply, is now under scrutiny as local authorities evaluate the extent of the disruption and seek to restore access to clean drinking water as quickly as possible.

The incident underscores the potential consequences of local political rivalries in India, particularly in rural areas where access to basic utilities like water can become a contentious issue. As the situation unfolds, the community’s need for a reliable water supply remains paramount, and it is hoped that swift action will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Source: scroll.in