Water Crisis in Murukampattu Turns Tense as Police Clash with Protesters

Residents of Murukampattu in Tamil Nadu staged a protest demanding drinking water after a malfunctioning pump left nearly 500 families without supply for around 10 days. The demonstration escalated when police were caught on camera allegedly manhandling a local lawyer, prompting public concern over law enforcement conduct during civic protests.

The protesters blocked the Chennai–Tirupati Highway using empty water containers to highlight the prolonged water shortage and the perceived inaction of local authorities. Tensions rose when lawyer Ayyappan, a resident of Murukampattu, reportedly faced rough treatment by police officers attempting to disperse the crowd.

Murukampattu residents in Tamil Nadu protest water shortage, lawyer manhandled by police.

The situation intensified briefly as residents surrounded the police, but calm was restored after officials assured the release of water to affected households.

This incident echoes earlier controversies regarding police handling of public protests. In July, in Chennai, temporary teaching staff demonstrated at the Directorate of Public Instruction campus, and videos surfaced showing police allegedly pushing journalists, using abusive language, and intimidating individuals recording the events. The journalists’ union has since filed a formal complaint seeking accountability and protections for reporters covering protests.

The Murukampattu protest underscores growing public frustration over essential services and raises questions about the balance between civic rights and law enforcement tactics in Tamil Nadu.