A woman was killed during a clash between two groups of women at a public tap in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday, the police said.
Tatipudi Padma (38) was allegedly attacked with steel pots by some women over collecting water from the tap.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the police said trouble started when some women broke the queue at the tap. Padma, who was waiting for her turn, raised an objection. An altercation ensued during which some women attacked her. Padma sustained head injuries and died on the spot.
The police have detained a woman identified as Sundaramma and are conducting investigations.
A similar incident took place in May in Kadamakuntla village in Kurnool district when a 48-year-old woman, identified as Padmavathamma, died during a scuffle as the village only had one source of drinking water; a borewell.
Parts of Andhra Pradesh are facing acute drinking water shortage due to delayed and sluggish monsoon and decline in water levels at main reservoirs.
The Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh is staring at a drought-like situation. The groundwater level in the region has just risen by 0.24% owing to the deficit rainfall. There is a deviation of 42% rainfall, according to the groundwater department. While the normal rainfall for the month of June in the region is 120 mm, the region has received only 68.80 mm rainfall so far.
IANS inputs