n Illegal water connections to blame n Panicky authorities disconnect supply Manish Sirhindi Tribune News Service Panipat, September 18 Deplorable sanitation conditions coupled with careless attitude of residents, who drew water from pipes passing through septic tanks, has resulted in outbreak of diarrhoea in the local Batra Colony, which has so far claimed five lives and left several others seriously ill. Waking up to the gravity of the situation, the administration has disconnected all water supplies to the colony and asked the health officials to take water samples and initiate corrective measures. Besides, huge quantities of chlorine tablets have also been distributed among the residents. The Deputy Commissioner has directed a team of doctors to remain stationed in the affected area and administer medical treatment to those who are suffering from gastroenteritis. The residents are also seeking medical help from the dispensary nearby. It was learnt that the locality did not have legal water supply connections and most of the households used pumps to draw water from the main water pipelines. These illegal connections passed through septic tanks. According to the officials, the temporary connection led to the leakage in the main water pipeline, which led to the outbreak of infection. So far, those who have lost their lives include five children and a teenager. The deceased were identified as Seema (3), daughter of Satypal, Monu (2), daughter of Satish, Nisha (8), daughter Nishar, Preeti (1), daughter of Rajesh, and Rinku (17), son of Santosh. As many as 64 persons have been admitted to various hospitals of the district. The colony is inhabited by labourers from Bihar and other states. Naresh Kumar, a resident, said they had no idea that illegal connections could result in outbreak of infection. He said cases of gastroenteritis were being reported from the locality for the past 10 days, but in the past three days, more number of people reportedly fell ill. Meanwhile, in a statement here today, the district administration said that all measures to check further spread of infection were being taken and proper medical care was being offered to the affected persons. A rapid response team of the health officials had also been pressed into action. Local legislator Balbir Pal Shah and senior officials of the district administration, including DC Vijay Singh Dahiya visited the area to take stock of the situation and speed up measures to keep the infection in check.