Ratlam
The movement of shopkeepers and farmers against the construction of the proposed Green Field Access Controlled Highway (Fourlane) from Ujjain to Javra is becoming increasingly raging day by day. This movement, which has been going on for the last three months under the banner of Jan Sangharsh Samiti, has now taken a new turn. On Saturday, 29 protesters were detained while trying to take a walk from Javra to Ujjain, who were later released. At the same time, as soon as he planned to resume the yatra on Sunday, the District Panchayat members and Congress leaders DP Dhakad and Rajesh Bharawa were arrested by the police and sent to jail. This highway is being built in the Javra-Ujjain region of Madhya Pradesh in a seven-kilometer part adjacent to the Mhow-Neemuch highway, which the locals are strongly opposed.
Start and demand of movement
The agitation started from 12 February 2025 under the leadership of the Jan Sangharsh Samiti, when shopkeepers and farmers started a sit -in at the bypass intersection of Javra. Performers say that the proposed highway will pass through a seven -kilometer dense population and employment area of Javra city. Their main objection is that the road and bridge will be built 24 feet high from the ground, which will cause social and economic loss in the area.
He says, “We are not against giving land for development, but the high bridge and fourlane interchange will affect our employment and traffic.” They are demanding that a fourlane be built at the ground level and rotary should be constructed at the intersections.
Walk and police action
A walk from Javra to Ujjain was organized on his demands. As soon as the yatra started on Saturday, the police stopped it with heavy force. During this time, the protestor Aslam Meo attempted self -immolation by putting petrol on himself, but the police immediately intervened and stopped it and snatched the petrol’s can.
29 protesters were then detained, who were released in the afternoon. But on Sunday morning, when the protesters were preparing for the journey again to submit a memorandum to the Ujjain Commissioner, the police showed activeness. Congress leaders DP Dhakad and Rajesh Bharawa were arrested from different places. Both were sent to Sakril Jail after getting medical in the district hospital.
Leaders’ statement: “Will fight till the end”
While being taken to jail, Rajesh Bharawa said, “We were going to tell the Ujjain Commissioner that the construction of the Green Field Highway is causing injustice to the farmers. Despite this we are being suppressed, but we will fight till the end.” DP Dhakad shouted slogans saying, “Farmers are already agitating in every block. This is a fight for rights.” Meanwhile, former Khacharaud-Nagada MLA Dilip Gurjar and other Congress leaders reached the Barwada police station and discussed the case with AAC Rakesh Khakha.
Due to protest
The protesters say that the high bridge and access controlled design will stalle the business of shopkeepers and it will be difficult to reach the farmers’ land. They want the government to pay attention to their demands and change the plan.
The Congress has also come out openly in support of the movement. This protest is likely to intensify in the coming days, as the protesters are not ready to retreat with their demands.
