Sambalpur, April 22: Six persons, including four women, were injured today when the relative of a government official attacked them, who were demonstrating outside the public health engineering department’s office at Modipura.

The agitators from Kanijuri area of the city had gone to the office of the sub-divisional officer of the public health and engineering department at Modipara to demand water supply in their locality.

It was alleged that an employee of the department had indulged in an argument with the agitators.

One of the government employees reportedly called one of his relatives to the spot. The relative, who came with a sword, attacked the group and six persons had suffered injuries.

The injured are Kumudini Pattnaik, Nidra Majhi, Anususya Samal, Samari Chinda, Arata Mishra and Akshaya Pattnaik.

“We had gheraoed the office, demanding water supply in our area. The accused attacked us with a sword,” said Kanijuri resident Alok Kandha.

“We have not been getting water supply for the past 15 days. We had come here to demand for water. However, instead of listening to our problem, the staff members misbehaved with us and attacked us,” said another resident of Kanijuri.

Sub-divisional officer A.K Satpathy, however, said: “Some people of Kanijuri had come to me. I had discussed the matter with them and assured them that their problem would be resolved. After the discussion, the agitators were about to leave, but suddenly some of the agitators started arguing with our staff members.”

“As heated arguments followed, two of my colleagues took me inside the office. I cannot say anything about the attack as I was inside my office,” said Satpathy.

Police rushed to the spot to control the situation. “We are yet to register any case in this regard. However, the police are inquiring into the matter,” said sub-divisional police officer Utkala Keshari Das.