Dam project protesters in Madhya Pradesh continue 16-day agitation

The protest by people affected by the Majhgawan dam project in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district entered its 16th day on Sunday, as demonstrators continued their satyagraha despite rain and waterlogging. The agitation is being held in the dam’s catchment area at Bankahrikala, about 55km from the district headquarters. It is led by Amit Bhatnagar of the Jai Kisan Sangathan, a pro-farmer organisation.

Protesters claimed that several affected villages, including Mandalia, Tapariya and Kunwarpur, were facing waterlogging. They said two to three feet of water had entered some homes, damaging grain, clothing and household items. The demonstrators said they had used different forms of protest, including symbolic funeral-pyre demonstrations and standing in water.

They also claimed that several women and other participants had fallen ill after spending days in rain and water, with some suffering wounds and skin problems. The organisation said more than eight years had passed since notification under the land-acquisition process, while eligible families were still waiting for compensation. Protesters claimed some families had received as much as ₹5 lakh against a declared package of ₹12.5 lakh, with payments for houses, wells, trees and other assets still pending.

Bhatnagar said the group was not opposed to development but wanted the legal rights of affected tribal families recognised. He sought immediate loss assessments, full compensation and rehabilitation. Officials said the Panna district administration was carrying out fresh surveys and distributing compensation to affected families.

The protesters also raised concerns about homes being inundated before compensation and rehabilitation were completed.