Diarrhoea outbreak in Chandigarh leaves over sixty ill

Chandigarh, July 3 (ANI): Over sixty residents have reportedly fallen ill in the Vikas Nagar area of the city due to the outbreak of diarrhoea, resulting from contaminated drinking water.

Locals, compelled to consume contaminated water, raised slogans against the authorities and expressed their anguish over state governments' apathy on Monday.

"Locals are dying everyday, the corporation is not paying heed to our pleas. The councillor says she does not have time and has nothing to do with this problem," Sandeep, a local, said.

The residents accused the corporation of negligence, despite frequent deaths caused by the disease.

"We have got the water tested and samples are in front of you, you can see how contaminated the water is. Daily one death is occurring. A doctors' camp has been set up in the area and at least 100 people are visiting the camp daily. Recently a girl died and two persons died yesterday. Maximum eight people have died and the corporation is not taking any steps," Sandeep added.

Following the protest a team of doctors visited the area and set up a medical check-up camp. They distributed medicines and packets of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to the locals.

According to some reports, over 90 cases of diarrhoea have been detected so far.

Vikas Nagar Councillor Rajinder Kaur Rattu, blamed the authorities for ignoring her pleas.

"I have sent a letter to the authorities, describing the problems of our area that people are getting ill after drinking contaminated water. I had also asked for setting up a health camp. The administration is continuously ignoring our calls," Rattu complained. (ANI)