Protest over Ken Betwa project turns tense:Police use batons and water cannons; residents demand higher rehabilitation package

“Police carried out a lathi-charge at 11.30 pm while we were sitting peacefully. At 1 am, water cannons were used. Women and children were drenched. At 2 am, they chased us again and beat us. We ran nearly 20 kilometres in fear. Many people are still missing,” said Manohar Bai of Palkuan village in Chhatarpur district. Her village is among more than 20 that will fall within the submergence area of the Daudhan Dam, part of the Ken-Betwa Link Project. She is not alone in her distress. Gulab Bai, also from Palkuan, said villagers are being forced to leave their homes. “Our fields and threshing floors are being taken. In return, we are being offered only ₹12 lakh. Will this raise our children? Build our homes? Buy land? We do not know how we will survive.” Under the project, the Ken and Betwa rivers will be connected by a 220-kilometre canal. Compensation dispute and arrest of activist The Daudhan Dam is being constructed in the first phase of the Ken-Betwa link project. Once completed, more than 20 villages will be submerged. Villagers allege that authorities had earlier promised full rehabilitation in a newly developed village with basic facilities, but are now offering ₹12 lakh as final compensation. Tensions escalated after police arrested social activist Amit Bhatnagar, who had been campaigning for improved compensation for affected families. His detention triggered protests at the Bijawar Tehsil headquarters. Police used batons and water cannons late at night to disperse demonstrators. Although Bhatnagar has since been released, villagers remain firm in their demands. How the dispute escalated ? The conflict began on 6 February when women affected by the project halted work at the dam site, insisting that construction would not resume until compensation was revised. They allege the government intends to evict them without proper rehabilitation. On 9 February, police arrested Amit Bhatnagar from his residence in Bijawar. Initially described as questioning, the detention resulted in his being sent to jail. As news spread, residents from over 20 villages mobilised. On 10 February, thousands, mostly women, gathered at the Bijawar block headquarters and staged a sit-in outside the Tehsil office. Eyewitness account of 10–11 February night Divya Ahirwar, a Bijawar councillor associated with the movement, said a rally began around 3 pm on 10 February. Protesters sought dialogue with officials and demanded Bhatnagar’s release within an hour. When no response came, they continued a peaceful sit-in. According to Ahirwar, authorities assured that Bhatnagar would be released in the morning. Villagers decided to remain overnight. However, at around 11 pm, police initiated a lathi-charge. Protesters regrouped and sat again. At midnight, water cannons were deployed, soaking women and children in cold conditions. She said two or three women threw stones at the water cannon in anger but were restrained by fellow protesters. At 2 am, police allegedly returned, ordering dispersal. Ahirwar claimed male officers chased women protesters, forcing them to flee to a temple complex 500 metres away. She alleged police continued pursuit for nearly 20 kilometres. She reached safety around 5 am. Another woman, Dukha Raikwar, accused police of using abusive language and physically assaulting protesters. Distrust over rehabilitation Deep mistrust towards the administration prevails in affected villages. Gaurishankar Yadav said initial assurances promised relocation to a fully equipped new settlement with schools, electricity and water. “Now they only want to give ₹12 lakh and drive us out,” he said. Villagers question compensation calculations. “One house is valued at ₹30,000, another at ₹1 lakh. Three brothers with similar homes have different valuations. No one explains why,” he added. Residents are demanding ₹25 lakh per person, with property valued at current market rates. They argue that ₹12 lakh is insufficient to purchase land, build homes or establish livelihoods. Political and administrative positions The issue has taken a political dimension. Gagan Yadav, Chhatarpur District President of the Congress, visited the dam site and facilitated discussions with state party chief Jitu Patwari. He stated that the protest is not against the dam itself but against unmet government promises. He alleged that local officials provided misleading information to higher authorities and condemned the alleged night-time force against peaceful demonstrators. Police, however, defended their actions. SDOP Ajay Rithoria stated that protesters turned aggressive and attempted to create a blockade. “Mild force was used to maintain law and order. We are identifying individuals through video footage and legal action will follow,” he said. SDM Vijay Dwivedi adopted a conciliatory tone, stating that dialogue with villagers is ongoing. He said the Collector had assured that all grievances would be addressed. Activist speaks after release After four days in custody, Amit Bhatnagar was released. In a video message, he questioned the grounds of his arrest. He alleged environmental damage under the Ken-Betwa project, claiming approximately 4.6 million trees are being felled and that a tiger reserve is being harmed. He further stated that 25 villages are affected by submergence and alleged violations of the Displacement Act 2013, including what he described as “fake” Gram Sabhas. Bhatnagar said villagers have been seeking justice for four years and attributed the confrontation to administrative high-handedness. Despite his release, the dispute over compensation and rehabilitation remains unresolved.