‘Chita Andolan’ erupts again over Ken-Betwa project:Tribal women lead protest; raise ‘give justice or kill us’ slogans

The suspended ‘Chita Andolan’ (funeral pyre movement) has resumed against alleged injustices and false assurances in various projects running in Chhatarpur and Panna districts, including the Ken-Betwa Link Project, Majhgay Medium, Runjh, Naiguwa Irrigation, and NTPC. This movement has been ongoing since Friday on the Barana River, a tributary of the Ken River, near Kupi village affected by Ken-Betwa, with the slogan ‘Give justice or kill us’. This movement is being led by tribal women. Serious questions raised on administration’s working style
Social activist and movement leader Amit Bhatnagar has raised serious questions on the administration’s working style. Amit alleged that due to the corrupt and dictatorial attitude of the administration, approximately 50 thousand people have become homeless. These people have been displaced from their water, forest, land, livelihood, and culture. Amit Bhatnagar described the destruction of 46 lakh trees, Panna Tiger Reserve, and Ken River due to the Ken-Betwa Link Project as irreparable damage to the environment. He expressed deep concern over this. Allegation – Not a single promise was fulfilled
Movement leaders Divya Ahirwar, Chita and Lakshmi Adivasi said that after their ‘Chita Andolan’ in April, the administration did not fulfill even one of the promises it made to meet their demands. On the contrary, fake cases were registered against them to create an atmosphere of fear among the people, illegal evictions were carried out, electricity was cut off, and schools were demolished. Tribal women, including Badi Bahu Adivasi, say that this time they will not fall for the government’s false assurances. They have warned that if the government cannot give them justice, then they should be allowed euthanasia.