A protest against entry fees at Rewa’s Eco Park turned ugly on Sunday, leading to a police case against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Pramod Sharma. The city Kotwali police registered an FIR against him on Monday for allegedly indulging in assault, holding an unauthorised demonstration, and creating a disturbance inside public premises.

According to police, Sharma, who has been vocally opposing the entry fee for a long time, reached the Eco Park along with his supporters and started a protest inside the park premises. The situation soon escalated into a verbal confrontation with park staff, which reportedly turned into a scuffle. Police present at the spot intervened to bring the situation under control.

Pramod Sharma has countered the allegations, claiming that the protest was against “illegal collection” of ₹100 per person at the Eco Park. He accused the park management of unauthorised charging and said his demonstration was meant to highlight the issue affecting common visitors.

On the other hand, the park administration and police acted on complaints of unauthorised gathering, obstructing public services, and manhandling staff. The FIR includes charges related to holding a protest without permission, disturbing government functioning, and creating a ruckus in a public place.

Investigation Underway  

City Kotwali SHO Nisha Mishra confirmed that a case has been registered against Pramod Sharma based on the complaint. “The entire incident is being investigated. CCTV footage from the park is being examined to ascertain the sequence of events,” she said. Further legal action will follow the probe.

The episode has created a stir in local political circles. Supporters of Sharma have alleged high-handedness by the authorities, while park officials maintain that proper entry fees were introduced as per rules to maintain the facility.

Eco Park in Rewa is a popular spot for locals and tourists, especially during weekends and evenings. The introduction of entry charges had already been a point of discussion among residents. Many visitors have complained about the fee, while authorities argue it is needed for upkeep and better maintenance of the park.

This is not the first time entry fees at public parks and gardens have sparked protests in smaller cities. Similar debates have occurred in other parts of Madhya Pradesh where civic bodies have tried to generate revenue through user charges.

As of now, both sides are sticking to their versions. Police have appealed for calm and said the investigation will reveal the full picture. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.

The development comes at a time when local AAP leaders are trying to expand their base in Rewa district by taking up civic issues. The outcome of the case could have political implications in the coming days.

Silpara Dam search intensifies

Search operations at Silpara Dam and its adjoining canal entered a critical phase on Monday after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Varanasi arrived here to assist local agencies. Authorities said the additional resources aim to boost efforts to find two men who have been missing since separate incidents in May and June.

What happened

According to officials, 23-year-old Arun Kumar Vishwakarma vanished on the night of 18 May. Three days later, police found his motorcycle and a single slipper abandoned on the bank of the Silpara canal, prompting an underwater search amid fears he had drowned. Separate reports say 28-year-old soldier Gaurav Dwivedi went missing on 3 June after he waded into deep water while bathing at the Silpara reservoir near Baghwar village.

Timeline and local response

Local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and divers launched sustained searches in the canal and reservoir immediately after each disappearance. The canal’s flow was shut twice to facilitate underwater combing, but teams failed to recover either man. Sources familiar with the matter said variable visibility and strong currents have repeatedly hampered divers’ work.

Long-running searches and mounting frustration

Extended, unsuccessful search efforts have heightened tensions in the area. Relatives and villagers staged a road blockade on Sunday, alleging inadequate early response and insufficient resources during the initial days of the hunt. “We told them from the start to bring specialized teams, but the search went on without them for too long,” a family member told reporters, declining to be named.

Police and administration response

Bichhiya police and district officers defended their earlier actions while acknowledging gaps. “Initial searches were carried out with the resources available locally,” an official said. “Given the complexity, we requested NDRF assistance and coordinated the team’s arrival from Varanasi.” District administration sources said the NDRF contingent brought advanced sonar equipment and specialist divers to improve underwater detection.

What the NDRF will do

NDRF personnel began inspecting the dam and canal banks on arrival and will deploy side-scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and trained rescue divers, officials said. These instruments help map the bed and detect anomalies where bodies or large objects could be lodged, especially in silty or low-visibility conditions. “We will work in coordination with local police and SDRF to cover all probable zones systematically,” an NDRF officer at the site said.

Ground-level conditions

Locals describe the reservoir’s far bank as steep and muddy, with submerged vegetation and uneven bed profiles that complicate searches. Heavy monsoon inflows have not begun in full, but isolated rains in the past week raised water turbidity, witnesses said. Search teams have been focusing on bends, culverts and deeper pockets where currents could trap bodies.

Public pressure and next steps

Families of both missing men have demanded an expanded, continuous operation until results are found. They want more manpower, around-the-clock sonar sweeps and clear public briefings on progress. District officials said the NDRF deployment marks an upgrade in capability and that searches will continue daily until warranted by findings.

Legal and administrative follow-up

Police have registered missing-person reports in both cases; investigations are ongoing to determine circumstances that led to the disappearances. Officials said they are also reviewing whether procedural delays occurred during the initial response and will record findings once operations conclude.

Why it matters

Silpara is a lifeline for nearby villages for irrigation and daily chores. Incidents like these raise broader safety questions about access, signage and public awareness at water bodies that see frequent local use. Residents and officials say they expect the NDRF’s technical edge to either produce evidence or narrow search zones, offering some closure to the families.

Bilaspur Youth Killed While Saving Brother From Attack

A 22-year-old BA student was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon. The incident has led to protests, with five individuals taken into custody by police in this Chhattisgarh crime news.

A 22-year-old youth was killed late Saturday night when he tried to intervene in a fight involving his younger cousin. The attack, which took place in the Sarkanda police station area, has sparked anger in the local community.

The victim has been identified as Abhishek Yadav, a resident of Mopka Gudi Mohalla. He was a second-year BA student. According to initial information, his cousin, Om Prakash Yadav (16), had an argument with a group of young men near Mopka Chowk around 10:30 PM.

What began as a verbal spat quickly escalated. The group, said to be five youths, surrounded the 16-year-old and began thrashing him.

Brother's Fatal Intervention

Seeing his younger cousin being beaten, Abhishek rushed to the spot to pull him out of the situation. However, the attackers turned on him. Sources familiar with the matter said the confrontation turned brutal within seconds.

One of the accused allegedly used a ‘chapad’ – a sharp-edged tool – to strike Abhishek on the neck. The youth collapsed on the spot and died soon after due to profuse bleeding.

Chase to Police Outpost

In the chaos that followed, Om Prakash managed to break free and ran for his life. The accused chased him all the way to a nearby police outpost. He was only able to save himself by rushing inside the premises.

Meanwhile, family members rushed a grievously injured Abhishek to Apollo Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Angry Protests, Police Action

The news of the killing led to a build-up of tension in the area. Late Saturday night, around 50 to 60 local residents and relatives of the victim gathered at the police station. They staged a noisy demonstration, demanding immediate and stringent action against those responsible. The protest went on for several hours.

Local authorities confirmed that they have registered a case. To calm the situation and push the investigation forward, police have taken five youths into custody for questioning. Officials said the accused are believed to be residents of Selar village in the Seepat area.

Ongoing Investigation

Senior police officials, including an ASP and CSP, reached the spot to assess the situation. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Sarkanda thana TI Pradeep Arya stated that a case has been registered. "The youth lost his life while trying to mediate. We have detained five individuals and are interrogating them to ascertain the exact sequence of events," he said. The reason behind the initial argument is still unclear.

The attack has once again raised concerns about the use of sharp weapons in public disputes in the city.