Jal Satyagraha: Police alert as as agitation continues

Khardana village in Indira Sagar project area in the district turned into a veritable police post on Tuesday as a large posse was deployed in the village in view of the continuing 'Jal Satyagraha' of the project-hit people.

Khardana village in Indira Sagar project area in the district turned into a veritable police post on Tuesday as a large posse was deployed in the village in view of the continuing 'Jal Satyagraha' of the project-hit people.

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According to late night reports, one of the protesters Chhitar Sirohi was arrested by the police and led away from the agitation spot. After hearing such rumours, many other villagers joined the agitators in water. Sources expressed apprehensions that the agitators might be forcibly removed from the venue.

These villagers, like Omkareshwar project-hit in Khandwa district, have been standing in water for the last 14 days to demand land for land for rehabilitation. Although the government met the demands of Khandwa protestors, there was no word about the Harda project oustees on Monday. Hence, the villagers have decided to continue with the agitation despite repeated attempts of the district administration to call off the agitation.

District collector Sudam Khande, who visited the spot, said the main demand of the protesters to reduce the level of the reservoir to 260 metres was outside their purview and could not be fulfilled.

District superintendent of police Anurag said that the large posse of police was posted for security purposes. Narmada Bachao Andolan leaders Chitrupa Palit, Ramesh Billore and Himanshu Kumar reached Khardana on Tuesday and said the agitation would continue till the demands were met.