Madhya Pradesh: Janjatiya Adivasi Yuva Sangathan Blocks Khandwa-Baroda National Highway

Bhikangaon (Madhya Pradesh): Members of JAYS (Janjatiya Adivasi Yuva Sangathan) staged a protest and blocked the Khandwa-Baroda National Highway on Wednesday due to inaction regarding long-awaited repairs of the Tantya Mama Bhawan.

As per reports, the frustration among youth grew when they reached the Tantya Mama Bhawan for the upcoming Tribal Day meeting and discovered that the building was completely waterlogged from the inside. Subsequently, irked by the condition of the building of their tribal pride and hero Tantya Mama, they blocked the highway. Two kilometre queue of vehicles was stranded for more than an hour on the Highway.

Protesters demanded immediate action and renovation of the building that has been in disrepair for three years. They put forth their demand that either a new building should be constructed or it should be renovated, otherwise the tribals will not sit quiet.

JAYS block president Prem Barole expressed frustration over the lack of progress. He said that instructions from the collector and the additional collector to repair the building in the past have been neglected.

He said that the building's deteriorating condition, with damp walls and a leaking roof, has raised safety concerns, as it is the only facility available in the block.

Upon receiving information, tehsildar Ravindra Singh Chauhan and janpad panchayat CEO Nilesh Solanki arrived at the spot to placate the situation. They assured that the building would be transferred to the janpad panchayat within three days for repair work.

However, protesters said that if only paperwork is done instead of concrete action on the matter, they would escalate the matter.