Human faeces on roof top of overhead water tank in village triggers tension

Mayiladuthurai Collector H.S. Srikanth and Superintendent of Police B. Bhukya Sneha Priya interacting with residents of Paneerveli below the the water tank on Thursday. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Human faeces were found on the roof top of a concrete overhead water tank at the Scheduled Caste-dominated Paneerveli in Villiyanur panchayat in Mayiladuthurai district on Thursday triggering anxious moments for the residents. Police investigated the issue and issued a statement saying it had been an accident, and there was no ulterior motive behind the act.The faeces were not mixed with the drinking water in the 30-year-old concrete tank which was closed with a metal lid, clarified official sources. About 200 Scheduled Caste families reside at Paneerveli village which comes under the jurisdiction of the Manalmedu police station. Official and police sources said human faeces were noticed by one of the locals of the village after he climbed the tank apparently to speak on his mobile phone. Information about the presence of human faeces prompted the local police and Rural Development officials to inspect the tank and conduct inquiries. Samples of water have been sent to the TWAD Board for analysis. Mayiladuthurai Collector H.S. Srikanth and Superintendent of Police B. Bhukya Sneha Priya visited the village and assured the residents that quality water would be supplied to them. Work on the construction of a new overhead tank would be taken up soon, said a district administration official.Water was drained from the tank and alternative arrangements made to supply water directly to the villagers, said the official. Three special police teams were constituted to conduct detailed inquiries into the act.During inquiry, it came to light that a juvenile of Paneerveli had climbed the tank on the night of Deepavali festival and had relieved himself there, due to urgency, a press release issued by the Mayiladuthurai district police said on Thursday. There was no “ulterior motive” on the part of the juvenile as the act occurred only to urgency in attending nature’s call, the release further said. District administration authorities ruled out any foul play and made it clear that there was no caste angle behind the act. No police complaint has been lodged in connection with the act, said police sources. Published - November 12, 2026 07:32 pm IST