Dramatic Funeral Pyre Protest by Tribal Farmers Against Ken-Betwa River Project
In a powerful display of resistance, hundreds of tribal farmers, predominantly women, staged a dramatic funeral pyre protest in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district on Thursday. The protesters lay on mock funeral pyres during what they termed the "chita andolan," signaling their unwavering resolve to oppose the proposed Ken-Betwa river linking project until their last breath.
Escalating Tensions and Police Confrontation
The protest took a tense turn when police attempted to disperse the gathering, leading to clashes that forced law enforcement to retreat. Viral images from the scene showed women, many holding small children, lying on the pyres as they demanded justice or death. The protesters have vowed to continue their fight until their demands are met, alleging sustained harassment by the administration.
The Controversial Ken-Betwa River Linking Project
The Ken-Betwa river linking project aims to divert water from the Ken river basin to water-scarce areas of the Betwa basin through an ambitious infrastructure plan. This includes construction of the Daudhan dam, a canal network spanning over 200 kilometers, and related irrigation and power infrastructure.
According to officials, the project is expected to meet irrigation needs for more than 10 lakh hectares of land and provide drinking water to approximately 62 lakh people, while also generating significant power. It specifically targets drought-prone districts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh, with completion planned in phases over several years.
Unaddressed Concerns and Ongoing Agitation
Villagers opposing the project say their concerns regarding land and forest rights, along with displacement issues, remain unaddressed. The agitation is being led by tribal women in collaboration with Jai Kisan Sangathan leader Amit Bhatnagar, who announced that the funeral pyre protest would continue on Friday.
Protesters have made several serious allegations, claiming they were prevented from traveling to Delhi to advocate for their demands. They also report that roads have been blocked, affecting food and water supplies to their settlements, and that they face ongoing threats.
Administrative Restrictions and Continued Resistance
The administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in parts of Panna and Chhatarpur districts, restricting movement near protest sites. Despite these curbs, protesters have shifted part of their demonstration to the middle of the Ken river itself.
Farmers from both Panna and Chhatarpur continue their protests within their respective district limits, while villagers report that police and forest department personnel have been deployed along access routes to monitor movement. The standoff continues as both sides remain entrenched in their positions regarding this major infrastructure project.
