Ken-Betwa project activist Amit Bhatnagar ended his 18-day hunger strike after his mother urged him to do so and authorities assured action on rehabilitation complaints.

Ken-Betwa river-linking project activist Amit Bhatnagar on Friday ended his 18-day indefinite hunger strike after his mother urged him to call off the fast following his discharge from hospital.

Bhatnagar had been on hunger strike since July 3, demanding a high-level probe into alleged irregularities in the rehabilitation and compensation of families displaced by the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other irrigation schemes in Madhya Pradesh. He accused authorities of discrepancies in compensation and rehabilitation, claiming affected villagers had been denied their rightful benefits.

The protest gained attention after Bhatnagar's health deteriorated. He was shifted to hospital after police removed him from the protest site in Chhatarpur district due to rising water levels caused by monsoon rains.

According to his family, Bhatnagar agreed to end the fast after his mother appealed to him, citing concerns over his worsening health. He broke his fast by drinking coconut water.

Bhatnagar said the administration had assured protesters that a fresh survey of affected families would be conducted and a joint inquiry committee would examine complaints related to rehabilitation and compensation. He expressed hope that the promised measures would be implemented fairly and transparently.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a major river-linking initiative aimed at improving irrigation and water supply, but it has faced opposition over displacement and rehabilitation concerns.


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