Madhya Pradesh Police Clear Protest Site for River Project, July 19

On July 19, 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Police cleared a protest site in Chhatarpur district against the Ken-Betwa river link project. They took hunger striker Amit Bhatnagar to a hospital and dismantled symbolic pyres used by protesters. Some protestors refused to leave, accusing police of forceful removal and assault. The police cited rising water levels due to heavy rains as the reason for relocation. Videos showed women being dragged away. Protesters had been demonstrating since April with demands for better compensation and rehabilitation packages. Opposition leader Umang Singhar criticized the police action, demanding an independent probe into the project allegations.