Gondia: Youth climbs panchayat building, threatens suicide over drain cleaning

In Kamargaon village in Goregaon taluka of Gondia district, a youth climbed onto the gram panchayat building and sat there over the issue of drain cleaning, causing an uproar in the village. The youth, identified as Dinesh Nagpure, threatened to drink pesticide used for spraying paddy crops and take his life if his demands were not met, prompting both the administration and police to rush to the spot.

Drains in Kamargaon have not been cleaned regularly for quite some time, resulting in dirty water accumulating in several places. Filth has spread so much in the village that stagnant, rotten water in front of houses is causing a stench, and the mosquito menace has also increased significantly. This has raised serious concerns about the health of villagers, with fears being expressed of an epidemic breaking out.

Dinesh Nagpure said he had repeatedly appealed to the gram panchayat administration for immediate cleaning of the drains and had also submitted written representations. He said representations on the matter had also been given to the Goregaon panchayat samiti and the Gondia district collector. However, Nagpure alleged that the administration continued to ignore this serious problem. Frustrated by the administration's indifferent attitude, he finally climbed onto the roof of the gram panchayat building and began his protest.

It emerged that Nagpure had with him pesticide used for spraying on paddy crops. He warned that if a concrete decision was not taken immediately on cleaning the drains, he would drink the pesticide and end his life, causing a sensation in the area.

As soon as news of the incident spread, a police team reached the spot immediately. Police kept the crowd under control while starting efforts to persuade Nagpure and get him down safely. After this dramatic protest, the entire village is now watching to see what steps the gram panchayat administration takes next regarding the cleaning of the drains.