Frustration over frequent unannounced power cuts boiled over in parts of Rewa district late Saturday night as villagers blocked the National Highway, bringing traffic to a complete standstill for more than four hours.

Residents from areas under Saman and Raipur Karchuliyan police stations sat on the road near Ratara bypass, halting movement in both directions. Hundreds of trucks, buses, cars and other vehicles were stuck in long queues stretching several kilometres, leaving passengers and drivers stranded in the middle of the night.

The blockade began around midnight when a large group of villagers, tired of prolonged power outages amid scorching heat and humidity, decided to take to the streets. Locals complained that despite repeated complaints to the electricity department, there has been no improvement in supply. Many said hours-long blackouts were making daily life miserable.

Police and administration officials rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. They engaged with the protesting villagers, trying to persuade them to clear the road. After prolonged discussions, the protesters finally agreed to lift the blockade. Traffic movement resumed slowly in the early hours.

Raipur Karchuliyan police station in-charge Rajkumar Tiwari confirmed that villagers resorted to the highway blockade due to electricity problems. He referred further details to Saman police station in-charge Vijay Singh, who declined to comment when contacted.

The electricity department has so far maintained silence on the issue, which has only added to the anger among residents. No official statement has come from the department regarding the frequent power cuts or steps being taken to improve the situation.

This is not the first time villagers in the area have taken to the streets over electricity issues. Earlier too, residents of Ajgarha village under Saman police station had blocked the highway demanding better power supply. Such repeated protests are raising serious questions about the power infrastructure and management in the region.

With summer temperatures still high, the power crisis is affecting both rural households and daily economic activities. Farmers, small shopkeepers and students are among the worst hit. Many fear that if the situation does not improve soon, more such agitations could erupt in other parts of the district.

Local leaders and public representatives are also coming under pressure to take up the matter with higher authorities. For now, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring that such long outages do not recur.

Further details on the power department’s response and any concrete steps to address the grievance are still awaited. The incident once again highlights the growing impatience among people over basic civic issues in smaller districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Rewa Road Accident: Speeding Trailer Crushes Youths on NH-39, One Dead

A tragic road accident on the Rewa-Sidhi highway claimed one life and left two others critically injured after a speeding trailer hit them late at night.

A festive atmosphere turned into a scene of mourning in the Gurh police station area late last night after a high-speed trailer mowed down three youths standing by the roadside. The incident, which occurred on National Highway 39 near the Mahsaon Chauriyar turn, resulted in the immediate death of a 35-year-old man, while two of his relatives are currently battling for their lives at a state-run hospital.

Midnight horror on NH-39

The accident took place between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM on Thursday. According to local sources, the victims were standing near their motorcycle by the side of the road, engaged in conversation. A trailer truck, reportedly traveling at a high speed from the Sidhi side, lost control and crashed into them. The impact was so severe that one individual died on the spot due to catastrophic injuries. Taking advantage of the dark and the deserted stretch, the truck driver managed to flee the scene with the vehicle.

Victim identified as wedding guest

The deceased has been identified as Manoj Kol, son of the late Sudama Kol, a resident of Mahsaon Bhaiya Tola. Family members revealed that Manoj had come to Chauriyar turn to attend his brother-in-law's wedding. The accident happened just a short distance from the wedding venue. The injured, identified as Chhote Kol and his brother-in-law, were rushed to the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa by locals and police.

Villagers block National Highway

As news of the death spread, a large number of angry villagers and relatives of the deceased gathered at the spot. The protesters placed the body on the road and staged a sit-in, blocking National Highway 39 for nearly two hours. The blockade led to long queues of trucks and passenger vehicles on both sides of the Rewa-Sidhi route.

Massive police deployment at spot

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Gurh Station House Officer (SHO) Shail Yadav reached the location with a police team. Given the rising tension, additional forces from Govindgarh, Saman, Civil Lines, Vishwavidyalaya, and Raipur Karchulian stations were summoned to maintain law and order. The heavy police presence remained on-site until the situation was defused.

Administration promises assistance

Gurh Tehsildar Arun Yadav also reached the protest site to mediate with the grieving family. He assured them of all possible government assistance under prevailing schemes. In a gesture of immediate relief, Mahsaon Sarpanch Abhijit Singh provided Rs 5,000 to the family for the last rites. Following these assurances, the villagers agreed to lift the blockade, allowing traffic to resume.

Manhunt launched for driver

The police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. A case has been registered against the unknown trailer driver under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). "We are scanning CCTV footage from nearby dhabas and toll plazas to identify the offending vehicle. The driver will be arrested soon," a senior police official stated.