UP: Bajrang Dal workers protest lack of water, civic amenities in Aligarh

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: Members of Bajrang Bal on Sunday staged a protest against the local municipal corporation over alleged lack of amenities near the Mayor’s residence in the Barahdwari area of Aligarh district.

The members of the right-wing outfit gathered at Ramlila Maidan in Aligarh and, thereafter, reached Aligarh Mayor Prashant Singhal’s residence in the Barahdwari area of the district with banners and posters to protest against alleged irregularities by the municipal corporation.

Amit Bhardwaj, a protesting Bajrang Dal member, told media, “The people of Aligarh have been grappling with a severe crunch in water supply for the last 6 months. We have been facing severe problems due to inadequate water supply.

We are even finding it difficult to cook for our households. The grossly inadequate water, which is being supplied by the local municipal corporation, is contaminated. The civic body has not been paying heed to our plight despite repeated requests.”

Pooja Devi, a local resident, told media, “We are struggling to put food on the table or wash clothes of our children due to the inadequate water supply. With their school uniforms going unwashed, our children are not being able to attend their classes.

Apart from the water problem, a foul smell of dead rodents in nearby slaughterhouses has filled the city.”

“Local municipal staff are shirking their basic civic duties. Garbage is not being collected and mud is being dumped on the roads. We even took up our plight with the mayor, who assured us that the issues that we have raised will be addressed,” another resident told media.

Aligarh Mayor Prashant Singhal confirmed that locals came to him with their problems, adding that he heard them out and promised to resolve them at the earliest.

“We held discussions with the local councillors and have prepared a plan of action for the entire city. We have planned to solve the water supply problem and work on filling potholes on city roads will start once the monsoon season is over,” the mayor said.

“I have spoken to the district administration about the foul smell of dead rodents from slaughterhouses and strict action will follow in this matter as well,” he added.