This Article is From May 26, 2009

Water wars in Madhya Pradesh

Dewas, Indore:

Two neighboring cities in Madhya Pradesh, Indore and Dewas, are in confrontation over water.

There are agitation and signature campaigns in protest against the government's recent order that Indore should provide two million liters per day to Dewas.

Now, there's a PIL against the order.

Says Satyapal Anand, the petitioner: "This is a very arbitrary and an unreasonable order. Indore hardly has any adequate water for itself. How can it give water to others?"

Meanwhile Dewas is desperate. They get water once in 20 days.

Section 144 has been imposed all along the seven km water pipe line to prevent water theft. A few months ago, a court order instructed the government to provide residents regular drinking water.

But so far, there's been no action.

Manoj Rajani, the petitioner from Dewas, says: "We have no alternative. We will appeal to the court once again as this is contempt of the court."

The Chief Minister hopes for a miracle.

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