Residents of Shiv Mandir, Keshav Nagar, and Bacchu Babu Center in Islampur, supported by activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), staged a massive protest on Saturday (May 24) against Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) over a prolonged disruption in pit water supply, ongoing for over two years.

The protest took the form of an economic blockade, effectively halting coal production in the Lodna area. Residents and activists demanded immediate action from the BCCL management to restore the essential water supply.

The agitation follows a previous demonstration held on February 9, during which the BCCL manager had assured DYFI representatives that water would be restored within a month via a newly installed pipeline.

However, despite the delivery of a 6-inch pipe, no connection work has been completed in the three months since, intensifying public anger and disappointment.

Led by the DYFI and strongly backed by local residents, Saturday’s protest renewed calls for urgent action.

Lodna Regional Committee Secretary Praja Paswan declared that the strike would continue indefinitely unless pipeline work began immediately and water supply was restored.

"The pipeline work must begin today itself, and water must be supplied without delay. This movement will not stop until our demands are met,” Paswan said.

Among the prominent participants were Mohammad Sagir Alam, Riyaz Ansari, Manohar, Umesh Paswan among others.

After nearly five hours of sustained protest, BCCL officials held discussions with demonstrators.

The company management issued a written assurance stating that work on both the old and new pipelines will begin from May 25.

The residents have temporarily suspended the blockade, awaiting the promised action.

However, they warned that if work does not begin as assured, the agitation will resume with even greater intensity.