Jaipur/Ajmer: The local administration’s war against open defecation, which saw the arrest of six persons on Friday at Jahazpur in Bhilwara, has caused a major embarrassment for the state government.

The six were Arrested on Friday morning under Section 151 of the CrPC for disrupting peace and later released on a bail bond of Rs 10,000. They were also directed to construct Toilets in their houses within 15 days. This apart, the local administration had also issued a notification threatening to cut the power connections of those who do not have a toilet at their home.

The notice, dated August 18 and issued by the office of the SDM, states that only 19% toilets have been constructed at Gangithala village. If the residents fail to construct a toilet at their homes within 15 days and continue to defecate in the open, the power supply to their homes would be discontinued.

As a damage control measure, Bhilwara collector Muktanand Agarwal on Saturday directed to withdraw the order with immediate effect. “The power supply will not be cut to anyone. Sub-divisional magistrate Katar Singh had issued the notification at his level. He has been warned against taking any harsh action in the future and only motivate people to not defecate in the open,” said Agarwal, while speaking to TOI.

He said that he was told that six persons have been arrested after they reacted violently when the sanitation team approached them. “The arrest was preventive but, yes, it should have been avoided,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jahazpur Congress MLA Dheeraj Gurjar has demanded stringent action against the SDM.

“We are all in favour of cleanliness. However, if any official uses unfair means and force, I along with the local people will stand against him. The villages in question do not even have decent drinking water supply and if the villagers have not Constructed Toilets, it is because they cannot afford them,” said Gurjar, adding that villagers who have constructed toilets were still waiting for reimbursement from the government.

Of the six who were arrested, four belonged to Piplund while two hailed from Gangithala. SDM Singh said that the arrested were charged under Section 151 as they were found defecating in the open. “The district administration has launched an awareness drive against it and issued strict directives against open defecation. The police arrested them while on an inspection round,” said Singh.

“The directives are in sync with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the need to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Certain harsh measures are necessary,” he said.

He said it was difficult to persuade people in rural areas to construct toilets. “There has been an improvement in the situation because of the continuous monitoring. But this only minimal,” he said.

Police personnel have been asked to conduct checks and special awareness campaigns have been launched at government schools.