Sand-filled sacks found blocking Varanasi sewer lines, mayor says 'Conspiracy to tarnish image'

Sacks filled with sand, along with wood shavings, stones, plywood and plastic material, were found stuffed inside main sewer lines during cleaning operations in several wards of Varanasi. Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari alleged that the deliberate blockage appeared to be part of a conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the city's image. The civic body has sought an FIR against unidentified persons.