Farmers dissatisfied with compensation offered for land acquired for the Badnawar-Timrwani four-lane road project continued their indefinite protest at the Jhabua Collectorate on Friday. The demonstration, which began on Thursday, has also drawn a significant number of women farmers.

The protesting farmers have said they will remain at the Collectorate until they receive a written assurance on their compensation demand. They spent their first night at the protest site, preparing food collectively and staying under the open sky.

Farmers Cook Food at Protest Site

Arrangements for food and refreshments have been made at the protest venue. On Thursday night, the farmers reportedly prepared around 30 kg of baati and 7 kg of rice and shared the meal among those participating in the protest.

On Friday morning, around 10 litres of milk were used to prepare tea, while poha was also prepared and distributed among the protesters.

The arrangements allowed the farmers to continue their stay at the Collectorate as they pressed for action on their demands.

Fourfold Compensation Sought

The farmers are demanding compensation equivalent to four times the market value of the land acquired for the four-lane project, citing provisions applicable to land acquisition.

On Thursday, Meghnagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Avanadhati Pradhan and NHAI Project Director Devendra Chapdekar reportedly visited the protest site. They advised the farmers to present their claims through the arbitration application process.

However, the farmers have continued their protest, indicating that they want clarity and a written commitment regarding the compensation issue.

Meeting With Collector

A delegation led by Vardichand Patidar, district minister of the farmers' organisation, met Jhabua Collector Dr Yogesh Tukaram Bharsat to discuss the issues.

During the meeting, discussions reportedly resulted in agreement on several issues related to access roads to agricultural fields, drainage arrangements and the height of the road.

However, the issue of compensation remained unresolved.

Written Assurance Demanded

Following the meeting, the protesting farmers maintained that they would not withdraw their demonstration without a written assurance.

The farmers have raised concerns about the impact of the four-lane project on agricultural land and are seeking what they consider appropriate compensation for the acquired land.

The continued presence of farmers at the Collectorate has put pressure on the administration to address the unresolved compensation issue while discussions on other project-related concerns have progressed.

Protest Continues

The indefinite demonstration entered its second day on Friday, with farmers and women participants continuing to remain at the Collectorate premises.

The administration has already advised the farmers to pursue their compensation claims through the arbitration mechanism. However, the protesters are insisting on a written assurance before ending the agitation.

The next course of action will depend on whether the administration and the farmers are able to reach an agreement on compensation.

The protest by villagers displaced by the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other development projects in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district intensified on Wednesday, with demonstrators launching a symbolic "Mitti Satyagraha" and continuing their "Chita Andolan" to press for fair compensation and rehabilitation.

The agitation, being held under the banner of the Jai Kisan Sangathan, entered its fifth day with protesters raising slogans of "Nyay Do Ya Maar Do" (Give us justice or kill us). Despite continuous rainfall, tribal men and women remained at the protest site, accusing the administration of ignoring their long-pending grievances.

Symbolic Protest Gains Momentum

As part of the latest phase of the agitation, villagers smeared mud on their bodies and lay on symbolic funeral pyres along the riverbank, describing the demonstration as a reflection of their struggle for survival after displacement.

The protesters claim they have been affected by multiple development projects, including the Ken-Betwa Link Project, Majhgay, Runjh, Neguwa and NTPC-related land acquisition works. They allege that many displaced families have either not received adequate compensation or are still awaiting proper rehabilitation.

Activist Continues Indefinite Hunger Strike

Social activist Amit Bhatnagar, who has extended support to the movement, continued his indefinite hunger strike for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.

Bhatnagar demanded justice for displaced families and called for action against officials allegedly involved in irregularities during land acquisition and rehabilitation.

He alleged that the administration was attempting to intimidate affected families instead of addressing their concerns. According to him, the protest would continue until genuine beneficiaries receive their legal entitlements and an impartial inquiry is conducted into the alleged irregularities.

Administration Accused of Intimidation

According to the protesters, government officials visited the protest site during the day, where a heated exchange took place between officials and villagers.

The protesters alleged that they were being threatened and pressured to withdraw their agitation. They also claimed corruption in government offices, alleging that bribes were demanded during compensation-related processes and that administrative machinery was being misused to suppress their voices.

The administration has not publicly responded to these allegations.

Demand for Compensation and Independent Probe

The protesters have placed several demands before the state government and district administration, including fair compensation for land and houses acquired under various projects and proper rehabilitation of all displaced families.

They have also sought an independent, high-level investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities in land acquisition and compensation processes. The protesters further demanded strict legal action against officials found responsible for any wrongdoing and an end to what they describe as intimidation of affected villagers.

Claims of Unfulfilled Promises

Speaking during the protest, Amit Bhatnagar alleged that discussions with the administration had continued for nearly four years without any meaningful resolution.

He claimed that although earlier protests had received support from across the country, assurances given by the administration were never fulfilled. He further alleged that around 250 people were booked in false cases following previous demonstrations and that several houses were demolished before compensation was paid.

Bhatnagar also alleged that acquiring land and demolishing homes without providing compensation violated legal provisions, including protections available under the land acquisition law and judicial directives.

Dispute Over Rehabilitation Continues

The Ken-Betwa Link Project is among several major infrastructure initiatives that require land acquisition across parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. While the government has maintained that the project is aimed at improving irrigation and water availability in the Bundelkhand region, several affected families continue to demand transparent compensation, rehabilitation and adherence to land acquisition norms.

The protest in Chhatarpur remains ongoing, with displaced families indicating that they will continue their agitation until their demands are addressed.

A major road development project is set to reshape transportation infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district, with authorities preparing to begin widening and reconstruction work on the Rewa-Dabhara road. The project, sanctioned at a cost of ₹311.62 crore, will involve land acquisition from 24 villages and is expected to significantly improve road safety and connectivity in the region.

The decision was reviewed during a meeting attended by Rewa MP Janardan Mishra, Sirmour MLA Divyaraj Singh, district officials, and the Collector. Discussions focused on the poor condition of the existing road, the rising number of accidents, and difficulties faced by daily commuters and transport operators using the route.

Officials informed the meeting that a detailed work plan has already been prepared for the Sirmour-to-Dabhara section of the road. Construction activity is expected to begin shortly following completion of procedural formalities.

Major Infrastructure Upgrade

Under the approved plan, the road will be widened to a minimum width of 18 metres, while certain stretches may extend up to 36 metres depending on terrain and engineering requirements. Authorities believe the expansion will improve traffic flow and provide safer passage for vehicles travelling between Rewa and neighbouring areas.

The project also includes improvements in the Bardaha Valley section, which has long been considered one of the most challenging stretches on the route. Public representatives stressed the need for proper drainage infrastructure, particularly in Atraila and Patehra, where waterlogging has frequently affected road conditions during the monsoon season.

Focus on Safety

One of the key objectives of the project is to reduce accidents on the highway. According to district officials, the Bardaha Valley currently contains more than ten sharp turns that often pose risks to motorists. Under the new alignment plan, the number of major turns will be reduced to three.

Dangerous curves will be straightened wherever technically feasible, improving visibility and reducing the likelihood of collisions. Authorities expect these modifications to enhance safety for passenger vehicles, buses, and freight transport operators using the route.

Land Acquisition Plan

Collector Pratibha Pal informed the meeting that a total of 27 villages fall within the project area. However, land acquisition will be required in only 24 villages, as sufficient government land is available in the remaining three villages.

Proposals for land acquisition have already been prepared. Officials stated that government-owned land will be utilised wherever possible, while private land will be acquired only when necessary for road expansion and alignment improvements.

Concerns of Local Residents

During the discussions, MLA Divyaraj Singh highlighted the need to protect the interests of local residents and business owners. Several settlements along the route, including Patehra, Atraila, Latiyar, and Panwar, have houses and commercial establishments situated close to the existing roadway.

He urged officials to ensure that construction work proceeds efficiently while balancing technical requirements with practical concerns faced by affected communities.

Ex-Minister Jaysingh Agarwal Warns of Agitation Over SECL's Manikpur Mine Expansion

Chhattisgarh leader threatens mass protest unless SECL addresses compensation and employment demands of displaced villagers in Korba

Former minister Jaysingh Agarwal has taken a direct stand against the management of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), issuing a firm warning of a large-scale public agitation if hundreds of families displaced by the Manikpur mine expansion in Korba district are not given fair compensation and employment without further delay.

Agarwal has written to SECL's Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), demanding urgent intervention in a crisis that, he says, has been festering for years due to administrative indifference.

Hundreds of Families in Distress

According to the letter, residents of Bhilai Khurd villages — including settlements numbered 1, 2, and 3 — along with those from surrounding areas are facing a mounting livelihood crisis triggered by successive rounds of land acquisition linked to the mine's expansion.

The former minister pointed out that when approximately 80 acres of agricultural and residential land was acquired in an earlier phase, SECL had given assurances of local employment. Those promises, he stated, were never fulfilled. Now, with a fresh acquisition drive for nearly 60 additional acres reportedly under way, anxiety among the affected families has reached a tipping point.

Compensation Process Under Fire

Agarwal levelled serious allegations of irregularity in how compensation has been assessed and disbursed. He alleged that newly constructed houses in the affected villages are being excluded from the valuation process because the drone surveys used to map structures are outdated and fail to account for recent construction.

As per his letter, this effectively denies a section of residents any compensation for homes they have built legitimately, and the practice amounts to systematic discrimination. He described the management's handling of the situation as a reflection of institutional insensitivity toward vulnerable communities.

Three Demands Put Before SECL

The former legislator placed three non-negotiable demands before the SECL management. First, he has demanded that all affected families receive just and transparent compensation calculated at current market rates for both land and structures, to be released without further delay.

Second, he has called for a fresh drone survey of newly built homes so that these properties are included in the compensation framework. Third, he has demanded that youth from the displaced villages be given priority in permanent employment with the company — a commitment he says SECL has repeatedly made but never honoured.

General Manager Asked to Intervene

Beyond the CMD, Agarwal has specifically requested that the General Manager of SECL's Korba area be directed to personally engage with the grievances of affected residents. He made clear that if swift and concrete action is not taken, the management would bear full responsibility for whatever public unrest follows.

Warning of Mass Agitation

Sources close to Agarwal indicated that he has already begun consultations with local community leaders and that ground-level discontent is building rapidly. The former minister told officials that if the matter is not addressed within a reasonable time, a wide-ranging public agitation would be mobilised across the affected villages.

This is not the first time the Manikpur expansion has drawn political and community opposition. The Manikpur Opencast coal mine, operated by SECL at a capacity of 5.25 million tonnes per annum, spans over 1,000 hectares in Tehsil and District Korba and has a long history of phased expansion that has repeatedly affected nearby habitations.

Broader Context

The Korba coalfield remains one of the most production-intensive zones in India's coal belt. The sub-areas of the Korba Coalfield include Manikpur among several key mining zones, with Korba accounting for a substantial share of SECL's overall output. As production targets rise, the human cost borne by communities along the mine's periphery has increasingly become a flashpoint for political mobilisation.

Agarwal's intervention is being seen in local political circles as a signal that the displaced residents' patience has run out, and that the issue could escalate significantly if SECL does not respond before the next round of acquisition proceedings moves forward.

SECL management had not issued a formal response to the letter at the time of publishing this report.