High drama in Pratapgarh as two women mount water tanks over grievances

Prayagraj: Pratapgarh Police on Tuesday faced an unusual situation as two women climbed atop overhead water tanks at separate locations to press their demands, prompting hour-long rescue and counselling efforts.In the first incident, a 22-year-old woman climbed an overhead water tank near the Kutchery Road campus to protest a property dispute. When passersby and lawyers noticed the woman atop the tank, they alerted the police.Cops from Kotwali police station, along with lawyers, women police personnel and the woman’s family members, reached the spot and attempted to persuade her to come down. After nearly an hour of counselling, a lawyer with the help of women police personnel managed to pacify her.The woman, a resident of Poore Keshav Rai area, alleged that her relatives were preventing her from constructing her own house following a long-standing dispute. She also accused local police of inaction, claiming she had approached various forums without any relief, which prompted her extreme step.In the second incident, a 20-year-old woman climbed atop a water tank near Sahabganj Bazaar, demanding that her family agree to solemnise her marriage with her boyfriend. She reportedly told police and family members that she would not come down until her demand was accepted.A Leelapur police team rushed to the spot and managed to convince the woman to come down after assuring her that her demand would be discussed with her family members.SP (Pratapgarh) Deepak Bhukar told TOI that police safely brought both women down from the water tanks after counselling them and assuring them that their grievances would be heard and appropriate action taken.