Two women were nearly buried alive when gravel was dumped on them from a dumper in Hinauta village, Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh as a result of a land dispute. The women, Mamta Pandey and Asha Pandey were buried up to their waists and necks in the gravel pile. Eventually, they were rescued by locals, but one had already lost consciousness and needed medical attention.
According to NDTV, the incident took place in the Mangawa police station area during a road construction project that the women protested, claiming the land was leased and opposing the construction. Their objections were ignored, and the situation escalated when the dumper driver, allegedly following orders from local strongmen, dumped gravel on them.
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A widely circulated video depicts the woman standing at the back of the dumper just before being buried.
The women were taken to the Community Health Center in Gangev. Senior police officer Vivek Lal confirmed the ongoing investigation. "The women were protesting, and the dumper overturned the gravel, burying them. Both parties have a dispute over family land," Mr Lal said. "First, there was a physical altercation, and then the gravel was thrown on Mamta and Asha Pandey," he added.
SP Rewa Vivek Singh also said to the news agency ANI, "The incident took place yesterday... It is a family land dispute between two sides... One side wanted to make a road and they were spreading pebbles for it. Two women came under the pebbles when they were being dumped... A case of attempt to murder has been registered under section 110 of the BNS... There are three accused and one has been arrested. The victims have been discharged from the hospital."
The complaint said that they were attacked while trying to prevent gravel from being laid on their leased land. They accused several individuals, including Gaukaran Prasad Pandey and Mahendra Prasad Pandey, of assaulting them and ordering the dumper driver to bury them.
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Lal said the investigation is being conducted thoroughly, with witness testimonies being analysed. "A case has been registered, and we are pursuing all leads," Lal added.