Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Schoolchildren in Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba took to the streets amid heavy rain, blocking the Jhansi-Mirzapur Highway for nearly three hours to protest against waterlogging, pothole-ridden roads and alleged official inaction. The students, often referred to as members of “Gen Alpha”, said the poor condition of the road connecting their village to the main highway has made their daily journey to school extremely difficult. The protest brought traffic to a standstill, with long queues of vehicles building up on both sides of the highway.
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For the uninitiated, Gen Alpha generally refers to children born from the early 2010s onwards, the generation that follows Gen Z, which broadly includes those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s and is often described as the first generation to grow up with widespread access to the internet, smartphones and social media. Gen Alpha, in turn, has grown up with even deeper integration of digital technology, including smartphones, AI-powered tools and social media, from an early age.
CHILDREN PROTEST WATERLOGGING, POTHOLES
The road leading to the village has deteriorated badly, with deep potholes, waterlogging and stretches affected by ongoing excavation. Students said e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws frequently overturn on the damaged stretch, with several children allegedly suffering injuries in such incidents.
The students also alleged that several dal mills operating along the route have contributed to the deterioration of the road. According to them, overloaded trucks regularly use the stretch, while wastewater from the mills flows onto the road, worsening the already poor conditions.
The protesters claimed that complaints to officials had failed to bring any improvement. They also alleged that mill operators had threatened villagers when they raised objections over the condition of the road. With no action forthcoming, the students placed wooden logs and stones on the Jhansi-Mirzapur Highway and began their protest.
STUDENTS ALLEGE POLICE MISCONDUCT
Police and revenue officials reached the spot after being alerted about the blockade. However, the protesting students alleged that police personnel used force to clear the road.
Visuals from the protest purportedly show policemen dragging some students away from the road. The students also alleged that when girls formed a human chain, they were threatened with action against their parents and warned of a lathicharge.
The students expressed anger over the alleged police action, saying they had been forced to protest because damaged roads and waterlogging were affecting their ability to reach school on time.
TRAFFIC RESUMES AFTER ASSURANCE
The blockade continued for around three hours before officials intervened and assured the students that their complaints would be taken up with the concerned department.
An assurance was also given that steps would be taken towards repairing the road. Traffic was restored after the protesters agreed to end the blockade.
The allegations of police misconduct and the condition of the road are expected to be examined as part of the authorities’ response to the protest.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
