Ken-Betwa project eviction turns violent in Dhodan:Villagers clash with police; attack bulldozers, several Injured

A violent confrontation broke out on Wednesday in Dhodan village, which is being displaced under the Ken-Betwa Link Project. A joint team of the Revenue and Forest Departments, backed by heavy police deployment, arrived to demolish houses on the village outskirts. As bulldozers began action, around 500 villagers confronted nearly 200 police personnel and started heavy stone pelting. The situation escalated quickly, forcing police to retreat from the spot. During the clash, villagers damaged a JCB machine and vandalised four vehicles, including those belonging to the Additional SP and Tehsildar. The JCB operator and three police personnel were injured in the incident. Collector Parth Jaiswal said the administration had gone to remove only government and vacant structures. He added that those involved in stone pelting and obstruction of government work would be identified through video footage and strict legal action, including FIRs, would follow. He also dismissed allegations of no compensation as baseless. Villagers, however, alleged that the action was sudden and carried out without any prior notice or public announcement. They claimed that houses were demolished without warning, triggering panic and anger in the village. Following the incident, heavy police forces have been deployed in Dhodan, Kharyani, and Palkohan villages, with roads blocked amid continued tension.