The pipeline work was disrupted on Thursday citing religious sentiments by the mob. Since the pipeline passed through a Muslim burial ground, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had acquired a written permission from Tiljala Muslim Board before laying the pipeline a few days ago.
The pipeline would have brought water to Darapara, a residential area of more than 50,000 people. Sheikh Raju, a resident of Darapara, alleged that the men first stopped the work and then dug up the pipeline that had already been laid. “Fearing violence in the area, Rapid Action Force was deployed for a short period,” said a officer of the Topsia police.
“Locals protested against the laying of the pipeline. They do not want it to pass through the burrial ground,” said Javed Khan, Leader of the opposition in the KMC. “We have information that some people have dug up the pipeline. We will discuss it with the authorities on Saturday,” said Bibhas Maity, chief engineer, water supply, KMC.