9-day-old water protest in Khandwa continues

With the agitation against the raising of the water-level in Omkareshwar dam here in Madhya Pradesh continuing for the ninth day on Sunday, the condition of protestors highlighting their plaint by squatting in the river worsened.

The protest comes in the wake of the raising of the height of the water-level in the dam to 191 metres from 189 metres -- which has resulted in a large area of farming land becoming inundated.

The protest is being staged by the affected people and activists of the Narmada Bachao Andolan group -- and their health is turning from bad to worse with each passing day.

One of the protestors and Narmada Bachao Andolan activists Alok Agarwal told IANS that there were 20 people staging the protest while sitting neck-deep in the river water. They are getting cold, suffering fever and the condition of their legs, due to sitting in the water, was also deteriorating.