HYDERABAD, June 4: The proceedings of a requisitioned District Council meeting were marred on Tuesday following news of the death of three children on account of gastroenteritis, which was caused by the consumption of contaminated water being supplied in Union Council 7, Latifabad.

The members walked out of the session to join dozens of children who staged a sit-in on Thandi Sarak in front of the District Council to protest against the supply of contaminated water in Latifabad since the last several months.

The protesters were led by the Nazim of Union Council 7, Ibrahim Chishti.

The members demanded the immediate suspension of the officials of the Hyderabad Development Authority, who walked out of the session for being occasionally condemned for their inefficiency by the members.

Meanwhile, through a resolution of Farheen Mughal, the Council called for declaring an emergency in the city, ensuring the supply of medicines, round-the-clock duty of doctors in view of the deteriorating situation at the borders in a stand-off with India.

Ibrahim Chishti attended the session quite late as he was leading the children’s protest.

Lashing out at HDA and WASA officials, he said that he would not attend the session unless the problem regarding the contaminated water was solved.

He elucidated that two children, Rukhsar (10) and Mohammed Owais (3), who were both siblings, died during the last couple of days due to gastroenteritis. Another girl also expired of the same disease in Bhittai Hospital.

He said that water was being provided for Latifabad from “a place where sewerage water of Qasimabad Taluka is discharged and buffaloes of the Mirs and Chaudhris swim”.