Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Panna Families Stage Pyre Protest Over Dam Rehabilitation Demands
Heavy rain has caused water levels to rise around villages in Panna.
Some families worry that their homes and farms could be flooded.
These families were affected by dams and the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
They say they have not received enough money or new homes.
To protest, some women lay on a symbolic water-filled funeral pyre, while some men wore nooses around their necks.
The protest was led by Amit Bhatnagar of the Jai Kisan Sangathan.
The protesters want the compensation cutoff date moved from 2018 to 2026.
Officials said eligible people had already received compensation packages, but the families disagreed and warned that the protest could continue.
Families affected by the Majhgawan Dam, Runjh Dam and Ken-Betwa Link Project began a ‘pyre protest’ in Panna.
Protesters said rising water has threatened homes, farmland, roads and villages after heavy rainfall.
They demanded compensation and rehabilitation, including extending the cutoff date from 2018 to 2026.
Jai Kisan Sangathan leader Amit Bhatnagar accused the administration of neglect and alleged corruption in compensation efforts.
The administration claimed eligible families had received packages, while protesters said their concerns remained unresolved.
- Who
- Families affected by the Majhgawan Dam, Runjh Dam and Ken-Betwa Link Project, supported by the Jai Kisan Sangathan and led by Amit Bhatnagar.
- What
- They began a ‘pyre protest’ demanding compensation, rehabilitation and attention to rising water in affected villages.
- When
- The protest was reported on September 13, 2026.
- Where
- Vanharikala Tapariya and villages in the Majhgawan Dam area of Panna district, Madhya Pradesh, including the Ajaygarh area.
- Why
- The families said their homes and farmland were at risk of submergence and that compensation and rehabilitation remained inadequate or unresolved.
Protesters’ Position
Administration’s Position
Compensation and rehabilitation
Protesters’ Position
Affected families said they had not received proper compensation or rehabilitation despite giving up homes and farmland for development projects.
Administration’s Position
The administration claimed that packages had been issued to eligible people.
Government attention
Protesters’ Position
Amit Bhatnagar alleged that the Panna administration was ignoring displaced families and failing to address their concerns.
Administration’s Position
Officials’ stated position was that eligible affected people had received the relevant packages.
Project development
Protesters’ Position
Protesters said they were not against development but opposed a system that made affected people bear the costs, and they used the slogan “No justice, no dam.”
Administration’s Position
The articles did not report a response from officials to the protesters’ broader objections to the projects.
- Main demands
- Proper compensation and rehabilitation for dam- and project-affected families.
- Cutoff-date demand
- Protesters want the compensation cutoff date changed from 2018 to 2026.
- Projects involved
- Majhgawan Dam, Runjh Dam and the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
- Reported impact
- Rising water has affected homes and roads, with some villages reportedly becoming islands.
- Organiser
- Jai Kisan Sangathan.
- Protest leader
- Amit Bhatnagar, described as a social worker and organisation leader.
- Administration’s claim
- The administration said eligible people had been issued packages.