Following an STF tip-off, police found 7,200 cough-syrup bottles and 260 kg of ganja in a locked Tikuriya Tola warehouse; suspects from Rewa remain at large.

Satna police on Sunday raided a locked warehouse in Tikuriya Tola and recovered narcotics worth about Rs 28 lakh, officials said. The haul included roughly 7,200 bottles of cough syrup (packed in 60 crates) and about 260 kilograms of ganja, all concealed behind grocery bundles. No arrests were made at the site; investigators have named two Rewa residents who rented the premise and launched a manhunt.

Raid triggered by STF tip
According to police sources, the action followed intelligence shared by the State STF unit in Bhopal. The STF had earlier raided an illegal cough-syrup repackaging unit in Patel City, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal on May 29, arresting 10 people and seizing a large consignment of narcotic syrup. During questioning, an accused identified as Nawab Khan — one of the persons nabbed in Bhopal — said he had recently delivered a consignment to Tikuriya Tola in Satna.

Local operation and timeline
Satna CSP D.P. Singh Chauhan said the Kolagwan police carried out the raid after an STF team and local officers acted on Nawab’s disclosure. Teams reached the warehouse in Delora late Saturday evening; they found the padlock intact. The registered owner, Bhagwat Prasad Dwivedi, was called to the scene and said he had leased the unit in April 2026 to Ajay (son of Bhimsen Patel) and Rohit Jaiswal — both residents of Rewa — for six months, police said.

What officers found
After breaking the lock and conducting a search, the joint team recovered:

• 60 crates (30 sacks) holding about 7,200 bottles of cough syrup, estimated value Rs 15 lakh.

• 9 sacks containing an estimated 260 kg of ganja worth about Rs 13 lakh.
  Officials said the narcotics were concealed behind packets of groceries and chips, apparently to evade detection during transport or inspections.

Links to larger racket
Investigators described the seizure as indicative of a wider, state-level trafficking network that used grocery consignments and transport vehicles to move contraband across districts. “The scale and method suggest this was not a local stash but part of a distribution chain using grocery cover,” an officer involved in the probe said on condition of anonymity.

Suspects named, manhunt underway
Police have formally named Ajay Patel and Rohit Jaiswal as accused in the case and are conducting an intensive search. “We have coordinated with the STF in Bhopal to question those arrested earlier and to trace the absconding suspects. If required, we will seek remand for interrogation,” CSP Chauhan said. Local teams are also checking transport logs, CCTV footage and truck routes used in recent weeks.

Ground reaction and impact
Neighbors in Tikuriya Tola told reporters they noticed increased movement of goods at the warehouse over the past month but did not suspect criminal activity. Local shopkeepers said using grocery consignments as cover is a growing tactic traffickers deploy to bypass roadside checks. The seizure is likely to trigger further inquiries across the Vindhya region and may prompt additional STF-local police joint operations.

Next steps in probe
Police said samples of the seized syrup will be sent for forensic analysis to determine composition and whether it carried banned narcotics or was an illegally-refilled product. Investigators will also seek to trace the supply chain back to Bhopal and other sourcing points. Arrests of the named Rewa suspects, if made, could expose further links and participants in the racket, officials added.

Vindhya Development Authority Begins Operations Without Office

Newly appointed chairman highlights infrastructure gaps as authority aims to accelerate regional growth in Vindhya region

The newly constituted Vindhya Development Authority has kicked off amid glaring administrative shortcomings, with its chairman forced to seek basic office space from the divisional commissioner during his first formal visit to the city.

Panchulal Prajapati, a former legislator appointed as the authority's chairman, discovered upon arrival that the body lacks a permanent office and essential resources needed for day-to-day functioning. The absence of a dedicated workspace has raised immediate concerns about the smooth conduct of meetings, project reviews, and field-level implementation of development schemes.

Chairman Flags Resource Crunch

According to officials familiar with the matter, Prajapati promptly raised the issue with the Divisional Commissioner and requested allocation of suitable office accommodation along with necessary infrastructure. He emphasised that without a stable office, it would be difficult to run the authority in an organised manner or effectively monitor development initiatives.

The chairman made it clear that a functional secretariat is fundamental for planning, coordination, and execution of projects aimed at faster growth in the Vindhya region.

Recent Formation and Appointments

The Madhya Pradesh government recently established the Vindhya Development Authority to give focused attention to the underdeveloped parts of the Vindhya region. Prajapati was named chairman, while Dr. Ajay Singh Patel and Sanjay Tirthani were appointed as vice-chairmen.

These appointments had generated considerable optimism among local residents and stakeholders, who expect the authority to act as a catalyst for infrastructure development, employment generation, and overall socio-economic progress in the area covering districts like Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, and others.

However, the initial hiccups have triggered questions about the planning that went into the authority’s launch. Local discussions centre on why basic logistical arrangements were not made before or immediately after the formal notification of its formation.

Impact on Ground-Level Work

Sources indicated that due to the lack of office space and supporting staff facilities, the authority has not yet been able to commence full-fledged field operations. Review meetings and site inspections that were expected to begin soon remain stalled, potentially delaying critical decisions on ongoing and proposed projects.

Officials pointed out that once the administration provides a suitable building and basic amenities, the authority will be able to formally start its mandated work of planning, coordinating, and implementing development programmes.

Expectations vs Ground Reality

The Vindhya region, known for its rich natural resources but relatively slower pace of industrial and urban growth, has long awaited a dedicated institutional mechanism for integrated development. The creation of this authority was seen as a significant administrative step in that direction.

Yet the current situation underscores a common challenge in governance where announcements and appointments sometimes precede the necessary groundwork. Residents and local representatives have expressed hope that the teething troubles will be resolved quickly so that the momentum generated by the new body is not lost.

Prajapati’s proactive approach in highlighting the issue during his very first visit has been noted positively by many. Observers believe his insistence on proper infrastructure reflects a serious intent to deliver results rather than remain confined to ceremonial roles.

Next Steps and Way Forward

The ball now lies in the court of the divisional administration. Early allocation of office space and manpower is expected to help the authority hit the ground running. Once operational, the body is likely to focus on priority sectors such as road connectivity, irrigation, skill development, tourism promotion, and industrial investment in the Vindhya belt.

Until then, the authority continues to function in a makeshift manner, relying on external support for even basic administrative tasks.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Vindhya Development Authority can overcome its initial administrative hurdles and translate the state government’s vision into tangible progress on the ground.

 Infant Dies of Malnutrition in MP, Twin Critical

Quack Clinic Sealed After Death

A four-month-old girl died of severe malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Her twin brother remains critical and is battling for life at Rewa Medical College.

The children, identified as Supranshi and Naitik, were born to Vimla and Natthu Prajapati, residents of Surangi village. According to sources, both infants had been suffering from fever, diarrhoea and vomiting for nearly 15 days before the situation turned fatal.

Twin Battles in PICU

The family first approached a quack in Jugulpur village for treatment. When the condition worsened, they took the children to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Majhgawan on Tuesday evening. After primary care, doctors referred them to Satna district hospital.

Both babies were admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) around 8 pm. Medical examination revealed extreme malnutrition and dangerously low body weight for their age. Supranshi passed away during treatment at 4 pm on Wednesday. Naitik was shifted to Rewa Medical College in a critical state.

Officials Issue Show-Cause Notices

Following the deaths, Collector Dr Satish Kumar ordered an immediate probe. Women and Child Development Department officer Rajiv Singh issued notices to sector supervisor Karuna Pandey and anganwadi worker Pooja Pandey, seeking explanations for their alleged negligence.

The Majhgawan SDM led a raid on the clinic of quack Premlal Anuragi late Wednesday night. Authorities seized nearly 100 types of medicines and sealed the premises for operating without a valid licence.

Mother Lacked Breastfeeding Guidance

Investigations revealed a deeper failure. Due to the mother’s weakness, the twins did not receive breast milk. Relatives fed them goat and cow milk instead. Doctors said this is highly dangerous for infants under six months, who require only mother’s milk for adequate nutrition.

“The family received no proper guidance,” a health official said. The children’s birth weight at Majhgawan CHC on December 21 was recorded at 2.95 kg for Naitik and 2.86 kg for Supranshi. At four months, their weight remained critically below the normal range of 4-5 kg.

ASHA Worker Failed to Stay in Touch

Mother Vimla alleged that apart from vaccination drives, no government scheme benefits reached them. “The ASHA worker did not keep regular contact. We got no timely advice or help,” she said. Field-level negligence is now being examined as a possible contributing factor.

The Chief Medical Officer confirmed that Premlal Anuragi had no valid licence. “He treated the children for 15 days and never referred them to a hospital,” said Dr Rupesh Soni, BMO. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the MP Swasthya Chikitsa Adhiniyam.

Majhgawan Remains Malnutrition Hotspot

Majhgawan block in Satna has recorded previous malnutrition deaths. In September 2022, a child named Somwati Mavasi died under similar circumstances in the same area. Officials admit that despite past incidents, ground-level conditions have shown little improvement.

As per latest government updates, health teams have been directed to conduct door-to-door surveys in high-risk villages. The administration has also ordered a review of all anganwadi centres in the block. What happens next depends on whether these orders translate into action before another family loses a child to hunger and neglect.