Ken–Betwa displaced erupt in anger:Officials flee leaving footwear behind; Section 163 imposed, bribery row sparks anger

In Chhatarpur, displaced people affected by the Centre’s ambitious Ken–Betwa Link Project lost patience on Thursday. Angry over alleged corruption in compensation distribution and administrative neglect, tribal communities and farmers staged a fierce protest and drove away the administrative team. The situation escalated to the point where officials had to flee to save themselves, leaving even their footwear behind. Section 163 has been imposed in the area amid rising tension. Bribery scandal ignited the fire of anger The main reason behind the protest is allegations of large-scale irregularities in compensation distribution. A recent patwari bribery case has further intensified the anger. Affected villagers allege that corruption is taking place in the compensation for their land and that their grievances are not being heard. See pictures of the incident Farmers were going to Delhi, ration was snatched away Tribal farmers were marching on foot towards Delhi to present their grievances to the Prime Minister, but they were stopped midway by the administration. Protesters alleged that officials seized the ration they had collected from villages and even stopped their water supply to force them to return home. ‘Pyre protest’ at Dodhan Dam Angered after being stopped, villagers have camped at the project’s main Dodhan Dam site. On the second day of the protest, demonstrators lay down on symbolic funeral pyres made of wood. Thousands of tribal men and women warned that the ‘pyre protest’ would continue until they receive complete justice. Why did the officials have to flee? On Thursday, a team led by the District Panchayat CEO and Additional Collector Namah Shivay Arjaria had reached to speak with the displaced people. Protesters made the team wait for hours, after which the crowd suddenly turned aggressive. Around 700 people surrounded the officials, forcing them to retreat. The administration has alleged that social activist Amit Bhatnagar instigated the crowd and that there was a planned attempt to attack the officials. This is why the tribals are protesting