Chhatarpur: A 15-day-long protest against the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other development works in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district came to an end on Sunday after police cleared the agitation site and transported protesters back to their respective villages. While some demonstrators alleged that protest leader Amit Bhatnagar had been detained during the operation, police denied making any arrests.
The agitation, led largely by tribal women, had been underway since July 3 on the banks of the Barana River near Kupi village. Bhatnagar had also been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 11 days.
Protest focused on project implementation
The protesters opposed aspects of the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other development initiatives in the region, alleging irregularities in project implementation, land acquisition, rehabilitation and environmental compliance.
Throughout the protest, demonstrators organised symbolic programmes including jal satyagraha, chita satyagraha and faansi satyagraha to highlight their concerns.
Bhatnagar demanded that authorities investigate the alleged irregularities and ensure that all environmental norms and legal provisions were followed during project execution.
Police remove protesters
According to protest leader Divya Ahirwar, a large police contingent reached the protest site at around 5 am on Sunday.
She alleged that police took Bhatnagar and several other protesters into custody before he could address the media regarding his allegations of nearly ₹400 crore worth of irregularities in the project.
Ahirwar said the agitation sought only the lawful implementation of the project while protecting the constitutional rights of affected communities.
She further claimed that the administration would be responsible if any harm befell Bhatnagar or other protesters and appealed to the public to raise its voice against alleged corruption.
Police deny detention claims
Additional Superintendent of Police Aditya Patle rejected allegations that protesters had been arrested or detained.
He said the administration had simply transported the demonstrators back to their native villages after clearing the protest site.
According to the police, protesters belonging to Panna district were taken back to their district, while those from Chhatarpur and nearby areas were dropped at their respective villages.
Officials maintained that the operation was carried out peacefully.
About the Ken-Betwa Link Project
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is India’s first river-linking project to be implemented under the National Perspective Plan.
The project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River to improve irrigation facilities and provide drinking water across the drought-prone Bundelkhand region spanning Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The government has described the project as a major national infrastructure initiative expected to enhance agricultural productivity, improve water availability and support regional development.
Protesters raise rehabilitation concerns
During the agitation, protesters repeatedly alleged irregularities relating to land acquisition, rehabilitation measures, environmental safeguards and overall project implementation.
They claimed that assurances given by the administration in April had not been fulfilled.
Bhatnagar alleged that families affected by the Ken-Betwa Link Project, along with the Majhgaon and Runjh irrigation projects, had not received justice.
He claimed that displaced residents had lost agricultural land, forests, water sources, livelihoods and elements of their cultural identity due to the projects.
The protest leader also alleged that some affected families had faced false criminal cases, forced evictions, electricity disconnections and the demolition of schools.
Among his demands were an end to the alleged harassment of villagers and the public display of lists identifying project-affected families in every village.
Administration defends project
The administration has denied the allegations raised by the protesters.
Officials have maintained that the Ken-Betwa Link Project is being implemented in accordance with applicable laws and environmental regulations.
They have also reiterated that the project is expected to significantly improve irrigation coverage, drinking water supply and overall socio-economic development in the Bundelkhand region.
Although the protest has concluded with the removal of demonstrators from the site, differences between the administration and affected communities over rehabilitation, environmental safeguards and project implementation remain unresolved.