In Darai village of Chitrakoot, the first thing that strikes you is the carcasses of animals. No tanker comes here, and 70 families depend on a single handpump. “Roz maar-peet hoti hai, bhaiya (There are fights every day),” says Gayatri Devi.

According to her, the problem is not only collection of water but also ensuring its protection. She points to Kashi, who stands with a lathi in his hand, guarding a drum containing water. Kashi is afraid someone might steal the water for his cattle.

Apart from the handpump, Darai depends on a baoli (stepwell) situated 4 km from the village. A special bullock cart has been fabricated just to carry water from the well. “It costs at least Rs 4,500. So all the villagers keep this cart,” says Ayodhya Prasad. But Dalits like her, Gayatri points out, can’t afford it.

The villagers claim the well is in the middle of a pond that is now dry, and that if this was pond was dug up, their water problem would be solved.

Sharda Prasad Yadav says they have lost many cattle because of non-availability of water. “Those cattle that could not be milked were left to their fate. As there is no agriculture, they are of no use,” he adds.

Three days ago, Rampur in Chitrakoot saw clashes over a tanker. One villager was arrested and later released on bail.

Dharam Singh says a month ago, a group of veterinarians had visited Rampur. “After seeing the condition of our cattle, they assured us that a handpump would be installed. The pump was dug this week. Laga janwar ke liye, kam aa raha hai insan ke liye (It was meant for cattle, it is being used by humans),” he says.

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