Led by Congress Leaders, Protesters Demand FIR and Probe into Alleged Corruption and Unauthorized Water Diversion from Kopeidih Reservoir
Published on: July 06, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Hundreds of villagers, supported by Congress leaders, staged a strong protest in Phuljhar village against New Look Biofuels, accusing the company of illegally laying a pipeline to draw water from the Kopeidih reservoir for industrial use. The protest was led by District Rural Congress President Bhagwat Sahu and former Youth Commission Chairman Jitendra Mudliyar, and saw participation from residents of Tedesra and several surrounding villages.
The demonstrators claimed that the unauthorized water diversion was being carried out without local consent and would severely affect irrigation, damaging agricultural productivity in the region. Protesters alleged that the pipeline was laid with the collusion of public officials and local representatives, and warned that the agitation would intensify if prompt action is not taken.
Bhagwat Sahu condemned the administration’s silence despite repeated petitions and alleged deep-rooted corruption involving officials and elected representatives. He demanded that FIRs be registered against those responsible for facilitating the illegal activity.
Adding to the controversy, Jitendra Mudliyar referred to a recently surfaced audio clip that allegedly implicates BJP leaders in bribery related to the pipeline project. He called for criminal investigations against officials in the Public Works and Water Resources Departments, as well as against the factory management.
Mudliyar also pointed fingers at the sarpanchs of Kopeidih and Tedesra, whose names have been linked to financial dealings in the alleged audio recording. He called for an immediate investigation into their roles and demanded termination of their membership if found guilty, stating this is essential to restore public trust in democratic institutions.
Also read- https://www.btnewsindia.com/जिला-पंचायतें-बनेंगी-विक/ https://www.btnewsindia.com/बस्तर-में-स्वास्थ्य-क्रा/
Several Congress leaders and social activists participated in the protest, including Dev Lal Sahu, Dani Sahu, Tikam Sahu, Somnath Nishad, Dayaram Netam, Manasingh Sahu, Paras Sahu, Krishna Dev, Bodhiram Sahu, and many others. The protest concluded with a stern warning to the administration—halt the illegal water extraction or face an intensified movement.
