Mayurbhanj, Oct. 31 -- Residents of Badadundu Gram Panchayat under Jamda block in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district locked the panchayat office for nearly four hours, protesting against the prolonged drinking water crisis, alleged administrative apathy and lack of basic civic amenities.

The protesting villagers alleged that contaminated water, supplied directly from the river without proper filtration, had been causing serious health problems, including diarrhoea, jaundice, stomach-related illnesses and kidney ailments. They also claimed that several residents had fallen ill and one person had recently died of jaundice allegedly linked to the consumption of contaminated water.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating situation, residents sa...