A peaceful protest against a proposed nuclear power plant in the Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh took a tragic turn following the death of a tribal woman participating in the agitation. Vimala Kol, who had been taking part in a Jal Satyagraha alongside fellow villagers in the Sarai Kala and Rozhauhi areas, passed away, leaving the local community in profound grief and anger. The incident has intensified questions regarding the demands of the villagers and the administrative handling of the situation.
Vimala Kol Had Participated in the Jal Satyagraha for Four Days
Locals in Sarai Kala and Rozhauhi have been opposing the upcoming atomic energy project for several days by standing inside pond water to register their protest. Vimala Kol had been actively involved in this movement for roughly four days. According to available details, her health deteriorated suddenly on Wednesday night. Family members rushed her to a hospital for medical treatment, where she passed away on Thursday. However, official confirmation regarding the exact medical cause of her death and its direct link to the water-based protest has not yet been released by authorities.
Husband Jamuna Kol Shattered by the Loss
The death of Vimala Kol has left her husband, Jamuna Kol, in deep shock. He shared that his wife had been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with villagers from the very beginning to oppose the proposed project. On Thursday, he performed her final rites himself. Expressing his immense grief, Jamuna Kol stated that everything he had was ruined and destroyed. His poignant words captured the heavy personal toll this industrial dispute has taken on a local family.
Villagers Express Fear Over Land, Water, and Environment
Residents in Rewa have repeatedly raised objections to the atomic energy project, fearing detrimental effects on their land, local water resources, environment, and overall health. Opposition escalated in October when boring machines arrived at the site for preliminary inspections, prompting residents to halt the work immediately. Gram sabhas have reportedly passed resolutions against the installation. Furthermore, locals have demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged no-objection certificates associated with the project.
Officials and Lawmakers Visited the Village to Ease Tensions
In response to the mounting protests, local representatives and officials, including Mangawan MLA Narendra Prajapati, Rewa Collector Narendra Suryavanshi, the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Garh police station in-charge Avneesh Mishra, visited the village to engage with the residents. Despite these discussions and appeals from the authorities, the opposition from villagers against the project remains unyielding.
Social Activists Question the Role of Administration
The death of Vimala Kol drew sharp criticism from social activist Shivanand Dwivedi, who voiced strong discontent and questioned the role of the administration. He raised concerns over how many lives the administration intends to put at risk. His remarks have propelled the tragic incident back into the public spotlight.
The Stand Taken by the Administration
Previously, administrative authorities stated that land had not been officially allocated to Tata Power for setting up the nuclear power plant. They explained that initial activities were merely intended to check the suitability and feasibility of the site. At present, detailed official findings regarding the exact cause of Vimala Kol's death, treatment records, and ongoing inquiries are still awaited.
