Villagers Continue Waterlogging Satyagraha in Etawah for Seventh Day, Demanding Road Access

Protest Enters Seventh Day Amidst Severe Waterlogging

In Gram Panchayat Shekhupur Jakholi, located in the Bhadpura development block of Etawah district, villagers grappling with severe waterlogging issues continued their protest on Wednesday for the seventh day. Under the banner 'Give us a road or give us death,' residents are staging a satyagraha, demanding a clear pathway for commuting from the administration.

This prolonged struggle has become an integral part of the daily lives of the affected residents, severely impacting their education, businesses, and agriculture. Suffering women such as Phool Kumari, Baby, Lajjavati, Ramrati, and Rajwati participated in a hunger strike, sharing their plight.

They explained that their daily lives are drastically disrupted by the waterlogging. It has become difficult for children to attend their school in Ikdil, and reaching the local market regularly is also challenging. The most significant problem arises when trying to cross the railway line, which also hinders essential farming activities.

Farmers Face Crop Concerns Due to Inaccessibility

Farmers expressed concern that their paddy crops are standing in the fields, but it is extremely difficult to deliver fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural materials on time. If the crops are not tended to promptly, it will directly affect production and livelihoods.

Primary Demand: A Commuting Route

Deepak Raj, the convenor of the satyagraha, stated that on the seventh day of the protest, villagers made peaceful attempts to present their problems to the administration and public representatives. He emphasized that the villagers' most crucial demand is the arrangement of a proper and accessible route for commuting.

This pathway, he added, would help facilitate children's education, daily market visits, and smooth agricultural operations. According to Deepak Raj, villagers have been suffering from the waterlogging problem for years, and the lack of a permanent solution is fueling deep resentment.

He appealed to the administration to take this matter seriously, conduct an immediate site inspection, implement effective drainage systems, and find a permanent solution for commuting. The villagers demand that their issues not be ignored and that a resolution be found as soon as possible.

Samajwadi Party Leaders Pledge Support

The movement is also garnering support from various political parties. Several leaders from the Samajwadi Party, including District President Pradeep Shakya 'Bablu', District General Secretary Veeru Bhadauriya, Chachhu Shukla, District Secretary Praveen Kushwaha, Narendra Prajapati, Vivek Yadav, Shilu Yadav, and Ankur Yadav, arrived at the protest site.

They listened to the villagers' problems in detail and offered their full support to the movement. In front of the SP leaders, villagers once again highlighted the severe difficulties arising from waterlogging. They explained that the problem extends beyond commuting, directly affecting children's education, farmers' livelihoods, and their daily needs.

The villagers urged the leaders to convey their voice to the government and administration and help ensure a swift resolution. They reiterated their demand for an immediate solution to the waterlogging problem and stressed the need for a safe and accessible passage to cross the railway line.

They stated that their satyagraha would continue until their main demands are met and a concrete solution is found. This situation presents a significant challenge for the local administration, as public anger continues to escalate.