A police officer was injured and a passenger bus was damaged in Khargone district on Saturday evening when residents of Jamli village blocked a major national highway. The protest erupted over demands for compensation for a local youth allegedly injured during a liquor smuggling-related incident last month.
Highway Blockade Turns Violent
Angry villagers blocked the Chittorgarh–Bhusawal national highway near the Bistan check-post on Saturday. The protest was organized to demand a compensation of Rs 15 lakh from a liquor contractor for the treatment of a youth named Sawan. Officials, including deputy collector Anil Jain and SDOP Rohit Lakhare, made repeated appeals to the crowd, but the protesters refused to clear the vital road.
The situation escalated when a passenger bus arrived at the spot to pick up women labourers returning to the Sirvel area after their daily work. Protesters turned violent, pelting stones at the bus and causing significant damage. Around ten other vehicles caught in the resulting traffic jam were also affected.
The Incident That Sparked the Anger
The root cause of the protest dates back to December 17. According to Sawan's mother, Kusum, and a relative, Rohit Girase, the youth was injured during a joint action by the excise department and a liquor contractor. They allege that the contractor's men rammed a jeep into the motorcycle ridden by Sawan and his friend Dilip, accusing them of illegal liquor transport.
The family claims to have spent approximately Rs 15 lakh on Sawan's treatment, even mortgaging their land to arrange the funds. Their demand for compensation from the liquor contractor went unmet, leading to the highway blockade.
Police Action and Cases Registered
In the chaos of the protest, Sub-inspector Ghanshyam Malviya sustained injuries while attempting to control the crowd. Police also reported that the protesters tried to attack a nearby liquor shop.
Kotwali police station in-charge BL Mandloi stated that force was eventually used to disperse the crowd and restore traffic on the national highway. Following the incident, two cases were registered.
The first case was filed on the complaint of the injured sub-inspector against 15 named individuals and more than 25 unidentified persons. They have been charged with obstructing government work, assault, and rioting.
The second case was registered on the complaint of the bus conductor against unknown persons for vandalizing the vehicle. The police investigation into both matters is ongoing.
