Rajkot sees fights, even murder, for water

On Thursday, Rajkot taluka police registered a case of murder against city unit president of BSP Vijay Soma Parmar for allegedly killing Ajitsinh Pachubha Jadeja. Jadeja was shot dead following a dispute between the two families over water collection.

In two other incidents, four people were hospitalised. In the first case, a resident of Luhar Vadi at Kevdawadi Gauriben Pravinbhai Chautalia was admitted to hospital after her neighbours — Ranjaben B. Koli, Jayaben Kesha and Raja Kesha — attacked her with buckets and pots. Gauriben sustained head injuries. Bhaktinagar police have registered a case of rioting against the three.

In another incident at Shivam Park near Ghantakarna Temple, a minor dispute arose between residents over collection of water from a standpost. Following the incident, Vasudev Vasant Joshi attacked his neighbour, Jitendra Pranlal Joshi, with sharp instruments. Later, Jitendra retaliated. Vasudev and his wife Rekhaben as well as Jitendra were injured and had to be admitted to hospital. City police have registered a case and further investigation is on.

Commissioner of Police Sudhir Sinha says his department is now planning to send women constables along with water tankers. The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has 22 tankers, which make about 300 trips daily. Besides, policemen, in coordination with the RMC, will also move around the city to prevent any untoward incident at standposts.

District Superintendent of Police Ajaykumar Tomar said an action plan has also been prepared for villages. Rajkot Mayor Ashok Dangar, however, said the corporation was helpless in preventing clashes over water.