An indefinite hunger strike by District Panchayat members in Bhopal over incomplete tap water schemes was called off after Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh promised swift resolution on Thursday evening.

Vice President Mohan Singh Jat and members Vinay Mehar, Chandresh Rajput, Devkunwar Hada, along with Suresh Rajput, Anil Hada, and Vinod Rajoriya began the strike earlier in the day at the Panchayat office.

The group launched the protest citing government inaction on incomplete water supply schemes amid an intense heatwave. Jat had informed the Collector about the protest four days in advance.

Officials were thrown into disarray and spent Wednesday night attempting to convince the elected representatives to withdraw their plans. Their efforts failed, and the protest went ahead.

The crisis stems from unresolved tap water projects across villages in Bhopal district. The issue was raised earlier in the Panchayat meeting, but the Public Health Engineering department did not act.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Vinay Mehar said, "the strike is a protest against Public Health Engineering officers and contractors who have usurped crores in government funds meant for the rural tap water scheme."

"We are also seeking immediate relief for residents in villages who are facing acute water shortage due to non functioning taps," he added.

The affected villages include Khajuri, Gunga, Shahpura, Kalapeepal, Taraisewaniya, Acharpura, and Parwalia, the protesters said. The two sides will now meet for discussions at the Panchayat office on Friday afternoon.