Sambalpur, Odisha — A liquor trader has been accused of contaminating wells in Canalpada, a village in the Talab block under the jurisdiction of Sasan police station, leaving more than ten tribal and Dalit families without safe drinking water.

The incident unfolded during an unusually severe summer, when water tables in the Sambalpur district have fallen to historic lows. Residents rely on shallow hand‑pumps and community wells for drinking, cooking and irrigation; the scarcity has amplified the impact of any contamination.

Background

Locals reported that the trader had been selling illicit liquor in the village despite repeated requests from community elders to cease the activity. According to villagers, after the trader refused to stop, he allegedly poured acid and other toxic substances into the main water sources and nearby farmland. The allegation was first recorded in a written complaint submitted to the district administration on 3 May.

The complaint described visible discoloration of the water, a pungent chemical odour and the sudden wilting of vegetable crops that had been cultivated on the banks of the contaminated wells. Village representatives said they had approached the Sasan police station immediately after noticing the changes.

Community Impact

The accused’s alleged actions have deprived the affected families of potable water and have damaged the only source of income for many households. The loss of vegetable crops, which accounted for a substantial portion of the families’ earnings, has forced them to purchase food at higher market rates.

Health officials who visited the site have reported an increase in cases of skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress among villagers who inadvertently consumed the tainted water. Although no fatalities have been recorded, the community fears long‑term health consequences if the water supply is not restored promptly.

Women and children, who traditionally collect water from the wells each morning, have been forced to travel several kilometres to obtain safe water from government‑installed tankers. This additional burden has disrupted school attendance and limited women’s ability to engage in income‑generating activities.

What Happens Next

Sambalpur collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar has directed senior officials to launch a formal inquiry into the allegations. “If the claims are substantiated, strict action will be taken and a formal complaint will be lodged,” he said in a press briefing on 5 May.

IIC Prabir Tripathy of Sasan police station confirmed that a team of investigators has begun collecting water samples and interviewing witnesses. “The facts will become clear after the probe,” he added. The district administration has also announced the deployment of emergency water tankers to the affected hamlet and the provision of temporary water purification kits to the families.

The administration has pledged to repair the damaged wells and to conduct a comprehensive water‑quality audit across the Talab block. In addition, authorities have promised to review licences for liquor vendors in the region, citing the need for stricter enforcement of public‑health regulations.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of rural communities to environmental sabotage and highlights the urgent need for robust monitoring of water sources. Residents remain hopeful that the inquiry will lead to accountability and that swift remedial measures will restore both their health and livelihoods.