Villagers complain of late-night boring operations despite collector’s groundwater conservation order.

Days after the district administration declared Rewa a water-scarce area and imposed a ban on new borewell drilling, residents of Laua Panchayat under Sagra police station have alleged that boring machines were operated late at night in clear violation of the prohibitory orders.

Villagers claim that a boring machine arrived in the area after nightfall and began excavation work without any official authorisation. The loud noise of the machinery drew nearby residents to the spot, where they found the drilling in progress despite the ban imposed by Collector Pratibha Pal.

On March 18, the Rewa collector declared the entire district a water-scarce area and imposed restrictions on private borewell drilling, with the order remaining in effect until July 15. The administration had cited fast-depleting groundwater levels across the district as the primary reason for the decision. The order made it clear that no new borewell excavation would be permitted during this period.

However, residents said the late-night operation suggested a blatant disregard for the administration’s directive.

According to local residents, a complaint was immediately lodged with Sagra police station after spotting the illegal drilling activity. But despite being informed about the violation, police personnel did not reach the spot, villagers alleged. The boring work continued unabated through the night.

“We informed the police as soon as we saw the machine operating. No one came. The work went on without any interruption,” a resident said, requesting anonymity.

The incident has sparked anger among local residents, who have questioned the effectiveness of the collector’s order. Villagers pointed out that ordinary citizens face swift action for any violation, but in this case, the authorities appeared indifferent.

“If the ban is meant to be followed by everyone, why is there no action against those who violated it in the dead of night?” another villager asked.

Residents have demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter and clarification on whose authorisation allowed the boring work to proceed. They have also insisted that if no permission was granted, strict action should be taken against those responsible.

This is not an isolated incident. Social activist Chatur Prasad Gautam had earlier alleged that illegal borewell mining was continuing unabated in the Sagra police station area, despite the collector’s prohibitory orders. The latest incident appears to corroborate these claims.

No official statement has been issued by the police or district administration regarding the matter so far.

With groundwater levels already under severe stress, officials had said the ban was necessary to prevent further depletion of the water table. The administration has not yet responded to the allegations of police inaction raised by the villagers.

Local residents have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those found guilty of violating the prohibitory order.