A protest by Congress workers and farmers turned volatile on Monday morning after police resorted to a lathi charge to stop a march toward the collector’s office. The demonstration was called against the recent externment of Kisan Congress district president Ashok Jat from Ujjain district.

The confrontation escalated around 11 am when protesters, led by local Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar, attempted to break through barricades on the Badnagar Road. Officials confirmed that at least three people were taken into preventive custody following nearly an hour of pushing and shouting between the two sides. A farmer, identified as Jayram Jat, suffered an injury below his eye during the baton charge and was later moved to a hospital.

Blocked March to Collectorate

Police had sealed off all main routes leading to the collector’s campus from early morning, anticipating the protest. Despite this, a large group of Congress workers and supporters from at least ten villages gathered near the Tarantal area, planning to walk toward the government offices.

It was near a bridge on Badnagar Road that the first major face-off occurred. According to local authorities, the group was stopped because they had not secured permission for the march. “The protesters were asked to disperse peacefully, but they refused and tried to push past the barricades,” a police officer present at the spot said, requesting anonymity. Tensions spiked when some activists climbed onto the barricades, leading to the order for a lathi charge.

MLA-Policemen Face-off

The situation turned politically charged when local MLA Mahesh Parmar was seen arguing with police officials at the site. Sources familiar with the matter said Parmar questioned the administration’s decision to extern a farmer leader while allegedly ignoring other law and order issues in the city.

“Ashok Jat would reach farmers on a single call. Such a leader has been exiled. Meanwhile, those with criminal records move openly in Ujjain,” Parmar was heard telling officers at the scene. His remarks drew sharp reactions from the police, who asked him to remain within legal limits. The debate between the lawmaker and the police line officials continued for several minutes before the MLA was escorted away from the immediate cordon.

Why the Externment Order?

The protest stems from a recent externment order issued against Ashok Jat, the local Kisan Congress chief. State-level party leaders claimed the action was retaliatory. Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, state president of the Kisan Congress, alleged that Jat had been booked under flimsy charges of obstructing government work after he raised a complaint against certain traders.

“Traders were taking 8-10 kg extra per quintal of produce. We demanded an FIR against them, but instead, our leader was externed,” Chauhan said. Officials, however, have maintained that the externment was a routine administrative measure aimed at preventing a breach of peace, though they have not shared specific case details.

Ground Reality and Next Moves

For nearly an hour before the lathi charge, the atmosphere on Badnagar Road remained chaotic. Reporters at the scene noted that protesters used tractors to block a section of the road, causing a brief traffic snarl on the busy stretch. Slogans against the local administration were raised repeatedly as some workers tried to push through the police cordon.

Local Congress leaders have now warned of a larger protest in Bhopal if their demand for revoking Jat’s externment is not met. “The next demonstration will be in the state capital,” a party functionary said late Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, police pickets have been strengthened near key government buildings in Ujjain as a precautionary measure. The three detained individuals are expected to be produced before a local magistrate later this evening.

Rewa Collector Fines Agency Rs 5,000 Over Mess at Karahiya Mandi

Surprise inspection reveals poor upkeep

In a move that caught both officials and private contractors off guard, Rewa Collector Narend Kumar Suryavanshi carried out a sudden inspection at the Karahiya Mandi wheat procurement centre on Friday. The visit, which lasted well over an hour, was primarily aimed at reviewing the purchase arrangements for the ongoing wheat season. But it was the state of the premises that quickly became the focus.

The collector arrived at the centre by late morning, without any prior notice. He walked through the sprawling mandi grounds, speaking directly with farmers who had been waiting since early hours to get their produce weighed and registered. While many acknowledged that basic facilities like drinking water and seating were available, a few did not hold back.

`Trouble with weighing, waste piling up`

Local farmers and a few commission agents pointed out intermittent issues with the digital weighing scales. Others complained about uncleared waste lying in corners of the complex, which had started attracting stray animals. "The weighing is mostly fine, but sometimes the machine stalls. Also, the garbage near the eastern shed has been there for three days," said Ramkumar Kol, a farmer from a nearby village.

The collector listened without interrupting. He then directed his staff to immediately verify the calibration of all active weighing machines. On the issue of sanitation, his response was swift and on the spot.

Agency penalised for filthy premises

Sources familiar with the matter said the collector was visibly unhappy with the general lack of cleanliness around the procurement sheds. Without wasting time, he ordered a fine of Rs 5,000 on the private cleaning agency responsible for the mandi's upkeep. Officials confirmed the penalty was levied for "failure to maintain basic hygiene standards" at a critical public procurement centre.

The cleaning agency’s on-site supervisor was summoned and given strict instructions to improve the sweeping and waste disposal schedule. "Regular monitoring will be done. This cannot happen again," the collector told the staff present. The district administration later said the fine amount would be recovered from the agency’s pending bills.

Wheat quality checked, transport expedited

Moving past the cleanliness issue, the collector turned his attention to the grain itself. He had a random sack of wheat brought forward and weighed in his presence. He also examined a sample for moisture content and visible damage. Initial reports indicated the quality was within acceptable limits, which came as a relief to procurement officials standing nearby.

However, he made it clear that godowns should not be allowed to fill up unnecessarily. He ordered officials to speed up the transport of already-purchased wheat to bulk storage points. The logic was straightforward – less stockpile in the mandi means less congestion and quicker turnaround for farmers.

No room for negligence, says collector

By the time the inspection wrapped up, the message was loud and clear. Mandi Samiti and Food Department officials, who had trailed the collector through the grounds, were told to remain present at the centre during peak hours. The collector added that any laxity in the procurement process would not be tolerated.

For the farmers who had gathered around, the immediate takeaway was mixed. The spot fine and the collector’s direct intervention were welcome signs. But many said the real test would be whether the cleanliness and weighing issues stayed fixed after the VIP visit ended. The administration has promised follow-up checks over the next week.

Sehore Boat Safety Violations Raise Alarm at Babri Ghat

Sehore boat safety violations come under scrutiny as overloaded vessels ferry people and vehicles without life jackets or basic safeguards

Unsafe boat operations at Babri Ghat in Sehore have triggered fresh concerns, with visuals and local accounts pointing to widespread violations of basic safety norms. Boats at the river crossing are reportedly carrying far more passengers than permitted, along with tractors, cars and motorcycles—often in the same trip.

The issue has drawn attention in the wake of recent water-related accidents elsewhere in the state, but on the ground, little appears to have changed until now.

Overloading on display

At Babri Ghat, boats are being used as multipurpose carriers. Eyewitnesses said it is common to see passengers packed tightly alongside heavy vehicles, with operators prioritising volume over safety. The practice not only exceeds capacity limits but also increases the risk of imbalance midstream.

There are no visible checks at the boarding point, and passengers are left to board at their own discretion. Morning and late afternoon hours reportedly see the heaviest rush.

Missing safety measures

Equally worrying is the absence of basic safety equipment. None of the boats seen in recent visuals appeared to carry life jackets. There were no emergency response arrangements either—no divers stationed nearby, no rescue boats on standby.

According to standard norms for motorised boats, fire extinguishers are mandatory. However, those too were missing at the site. There were also no warning boards or signage to guide passengers about safe travel limits.

Lessons yet unlearnt

The situation comes despite heightened awareness following the Bargi Dam incident, where lapses in safety had drawn statewide criticism. Locals say the current practices suggest those lessons have not translated into enforcement on the ground.

“Initial reports indicate that even after previous incidents, monitoring remains weak,” a local resident said, pointing to the continued overloading and lack of supervision.

Passenger concerns grow

Passengers using the route admit they feel uneasy but often have little choice. Rajeev Patel, a regular commuter, said travelling on overloaded boats feels risky, especially when vehicles are loaded alongside people.

Others echoed similar concerns, noting that the absence of life jackets makes even short crossings stressful. Some said they wait longer for less crowded boats, but such options are limited during peak hours.

Residents and daily commuters have also raised questions over administrative inaction. They allege that the contractor operating the boats has been allowed to function without strict oversight, leading to repeated violations.

Sources familiar with the matter said inspections have been sporadic, and enforcement of rules has largely depended on complaints rather than routine checks.

SDM steps in

Following growing concern, Bherunda Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sudhir Kushwah conducted a site inspection. According to officials, strict instructions have now been issued to the contractor to adhere to prescribed capacity limits and ensure that every passenger is provided a life jacket.

The SDM also directed that boats undergo regular technical checks and be operated only by experienced personnel. Installation of warning signage, barricading at the and dissemination of safety information have also been ordered.

Warning of action

Officials have indicated that failure to comply will invite strict action against the contractor. “Local authorities confirmed that any negligence going forward will not be tolerated,” an official said, adding that monitoring will be stepped up in the coming days.

For now, Sehore boat safety violations remain a pressing concern, with the coming weeks likely to determine whether the directives issued translate into real change on the ground.

Indore Road Blockade Over Liquor Shop Enter Fourth Hour

Residents of Malwa Mill area refuse to budge, cook food on street as police watch silently

A massive road blockade by residents of Indore's Malwa Mill area entered its fourth hour on Wednesday, with protesters refusing to allow a proposed liquor shop to open in their neighbourhood. Women and children sat on chairs placed across the road, while some residents set up stoves to cook poha, signalling their resolve to continue the agitation indefinitely.

Heavy Police Deployment

Considering the volatile situation, the administration rushed heavy police force to the spot. Officers maintained a visible presence throughout Wednesday, though no arrests have been reported so far. Excise department officials also arrived at the location but remained unable to offer any resolution regarding the shop's fate.

Residents Refuse to Back Down

Local residents made it clear they would not allow the liquor shop to operate under any circumstances. The shop, according to people living in the area, was being shifted from another locality to Malwa Mill. This move has triggered widespread anger among families who call this a purely residential zone.

"We have school children passing through here daily. The atmosphere will be completely spoiled," said Shalu, a resident. She added that people who consume alcohol cannot be considered good influence on the neighbourhood's youth.

BJP Corporator Joins Protesters

BJP corporator and MIC member Nandu Pahadia arrived at the protest site with 20-25 supporters. He spoke to the agitated residents and appeared to endorse their demands. His presence has added political weight to the agitation, though no official statement from the corporation has been issued yet.

Similar Opposition Three Years Ago

This is not the first time residents have fought against a liquor shop in this area. According to Anuradha Jain, another local resident, a similar commotion had taken place in 2022. "They made all preparations overnight to open the shop again. How is this possible after what happened three years ago?" she asked.

Jain also pointed out that four other liquor shops already exist within a 600-metre radius, near Malwa Mill, Charak Hospital and other locations. "This would be the fifth shop at such a short distance. This cannot be right," she added.

Bhopal Erupts in Bhajan-Kirtan Protests

Meanwhile, the protests have spread to Bhopal, where residents have adopted unique methods to express their displeasure. At Avadhpuri's Rishipuram area, locals recited Sundarkand on Tuesday night. In Semrakalan, bhajan-kirtan sessions have begun, with people setting up tents near the contested shop.

Residents of Vijay Nagar Sairam Colony in Semrakalan have been demanding the shifting of their local liquor shop for over a year. They have also raised the matter during the 54th public hearing held every Tuesday at the Collectorate, but no action has followed.

Criminal Incidents on the Rise

Kamlesh Solanki, a resident of Avadhpuri, alleged that anti-social elements gather around the existing liquor shop regularly. "Incidents of molestation have been reported when women pass through this area. Fights and other crimes have increased. Common people are finding it difficult to live here peacefully," he said.

On Kolar Road's Mandakini Square, protesters point out that a liquor shop has opened right behind a Jain temple. The shop was earlier located in the Sarvadharma area before being shifted to its current location, triggering fresh outrage among devotees and families living nearby.

What Next

No decision has been announced by the administration as of Wednesday evening. Residents have made it clear that the blockade and other forms of protest will continue until the shop's location is changed. Police have prevented protesters from setting up tents in Indore, but the agitation shows no signs of slowing down. Excise officials remain on the spot, though sources indicate a resolution may take more time.