Sambalpur: Tension gripped Kenalpada village under Talab panchayat in Odisha's Sambalpur district on Tuesday after villagers alleged that two liquor traders contaminated tube wells and wells with pesticide or other toxic substances after the locals opposed illegal liquor sale in the area.

The accused have been identified as Sujit Luha and Ajit Luha. Villagers alleged that the two brothers poured acid or poisonous chemicals into drinking water sources and vegetable fields.

According to reports, a section of villagers had been protesting against the sale of country liquor in the Talab panchayat. Earlier, liquor was seized from the houses of the two accused following a complaint lodged at the Sasan police station. Since then, hostility had reportedly been brewing between the accused and some villagers.

Villagers claimed they noticed the duo pouring suspicious substances into wells, tube wells and agricultural fields, following which locals confronted them. The situation soon turned tense as both sides came face to face.

A delegation of the villagers later met the Sambalpur Collector and Superintendent of Police, demanding immediate action and safe drinking water arrangements for the village.

The villagers also alleged that when they approached the Sasan police station to lodge a complaint, police personnel misbehaved with them and refused to accept their complaint. However, Sasan police station IIC Prabir Tripathy denied the allegation, saying that villagers had only been asked to submit a written complaint and no misconduct had occurred.

Meanwhile, preliminary examination reportedly indicated the presence of toxic substances in the water sources. Officials of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department visited Kenalpada village and collected water samples from wells and tube wells for laboratory testing in Bhubaneswar.

Villagers have been advised not to use water from the affected sources until the test reports arrive.

Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar said the matter is under investigation. “Water samples will be tested in Bhubaneswar. Necessary action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true,” he said, adding that alternative drinking water arrangements have been made for the villagers.