15-day protest against Ken-Betwa project in MP ends abruptly as police clear agitation site

A 15-day-long protest against the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other development works in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district came to an end on Sunday after police cleared the demonstration site and transported protesters back to their respective villages.The agitation, led primarily by tribal women, had been underway since July 3 on the banks of the Barana river near Kupi village. Protesters adopted various forms of demonstration, including jal satyagraha, chita (funeral pyre) satyagraha, and a symbolic faansi satyagraha. Amit Bhatnagar, who was leading the agitation, had been on an indefinite hunger strike for 11 days.Police cite safety concerns, protesters allege detentionsProtest leader Divya Ahirwar alleged that a heavy police contingent arrived at the site around 5 am on Sunday and detained Bhatnagar along with several protesters before he could address the media.