Shimla, Feb. 13 -- A case of suspected pesticide poisoning in a drinking water tank has surfaced in Bareshtu village of Tikkar tehsil in Rohru subdivision of Shimla district triggering panic among residents. The jal shakti department has confirmed the presence of an alleged chemical substance in the water and police have registered an FIR against an unknown person. According to information, the incident occurred on the evening of February 8 when an unidentified individual allegedly mixed pesticide into a public water tank supplying drinking water to over 200 people across nearly 25 households in the village. The matter came to light around 8:35 pm when Adarsh Sharma, a resident of Bareshtu village, noticed a strong, unusual smell after opening a tap at his home. On being alerted, other villagers also reported the same odor, raising suspicion of contamination. The Jal Shakti Department team reached the village around 9:30 pm and collected water samples for testing. On February 9, departmental laboratory tests reportedly confirmed the presence of a suspected medicinal or pesticide substance in the samples. Adarsh Sharma said that after the pesticide was confirmed, the drinking water tank and water tanks in people's homes were emptied and cleaned. He first complained about this to the Jal Shakti Department. On February 10, a second complaint was filed with the police. Sharma stated that the smell resembled a pesticide commonly used in apple orchards, locally referred to as 'Dermat'. Villagers emptied the main supply tank as well as household storage tanks and undertook cleaning measures as a precaution. Bhupendra Chauhan, SDO (assistant engineer) of the Jal Shakti department, said, "After villagers complained of the smell in the water we immediately stopped the supply of water and the supply tank was cleaned. The water samples were taken and were found contaminated. After getting the tank thoroughly cleaned the next day and getting the samples checked again we have restored water supply". The Jal Shakti Department clarified that while contamination has been detected, it cannot be conclusively stated at this stage that substance is Dermat. Adarsh, who lodged the complaint said, "After dinner when I was washing my hands I noticed a strong smell in the water that resembled the smell of dermat. I immediately called up our neighbours and asked them to check. They too confirmed the strong smell. So we alerted other villagers not to consume water." "Being from an agricultural background we could identify the smell. We then lodged a complaint with the Jal Shakti department who got the samples checked and confirmed contamination. After the test reports from the department, we lodged a police complaint," added Adrash who said that with timely alert no one got harmed. DSP Rohru Pranav Chauhan while confirming registration of FIR to HT said, "A case had been registered against unidentified person". He added, "We have collected samples from the department and sent them to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination to ascertain the exact composition of the substance"....