A simmering water conflict between two villages in Ujjain district boiled over this weekend, resulting in a major road blockade that disrupted traffic for over two hours on Saturday. The clash between residents of Makdaun and Delchi villages centered on water access from the Paintisa Dam.
Escalation of a Years-Long Conflict
The immediate trigger occurred on Friday night. Villagers from Delchi allegedly uprooted water motors installed by farmers from Makdaun at the dam site and also damaged the connected pipelines. The situation escalated the next morning when more than 35 farmers from Makdaun discovered the destruction.
In response, over 200 farmers from Makdaun gathered and staged a chakka jam (road blockade) outside the Mandi Gate. Women from the village actively participated in the protest. The demonstration caused significant traffic disruption, with long queues of vehicles forming until administrative officials intervened and persuaded the protestors to disperse.
Roots of the Dispute and Competing Claims
This is not an isolated incident. The conflict over water distribution from the Paintisa Dam has been ongoing for five to six years. While the dam itself once fell under the jurisdiction of the Delchi gram panchayat, a part of its embankment is adjacent to Makdaun village, which is located roughly three kilometers away.
Farmers from Delchi argue that if outsiders continue to draw water equally, their own crops will suffer. This concern is amplified by the current water shortage in the dam, which intensifies the competition for the scarce resource.
On the other side, farmers from Makdaun claim the recent vandalism has caused heavy financial losses and critically disrupted irrigation for their crops. They emphasize that their wheat crops require more water at this particular time, and the annual water shortage creates a recurring dispute situation between the two villages.
Official Response and Police Action
Local authorities have taken note of the serious situation. Tehsildar Navin Kumbhakar confirmed that an incident involving the destruction of pipelines and motors was reported. He stated that the affected farmers have demanded compensation for the damage and clarity on water rights. A police case (FIR) has been registered against 15 named individuals in connection with the event.
"A team of police and administration officials has been sent to the spot to assess the damage," Kumbhakar said. He added that efforts will be made to resolve the underlying water dispute through mutual dialogue and meetings.
Providing further details on the legal action, Makdaun police station in-charge Pradeepsingh Rajput stated that the case was registered based on a formal complaint. The accused villagers from Delchi have been charged under relevant sections of the law for damage to property, verbal abuse, and issuing death threats.
The administration now faces the dual challenge of addressing the immediate law-and-order situation and finding a lasting solution to the perennial water sharing issue that threatens the agricultural livelihood of both communities.
