Southeastern Hoshangabad is known for the Pachmarhi hill station, “nestled” in the tourism promotion language, among the Mahadeo hills. The rail route lies from Delhi to Itarsi then branches to Pipariya town, from where starts the ascent to the hills. From Piparia there are roads and buses to nearby Bankhedi and its rural areas. But a part of Bankhedi tehsil lies in the Satpura hills. Transport here is negligible. In fact, travel to hill villages is fairly arduous. Irom Itarsi, you can also go in the other direction to the forested Kesla block in the Satpura range. The road to Kesla is well maintained since it serves both the Tawa Dam and the Itarsi Central Proof Range, both located in this block.
The area witnessed simmering tension relating to land, forest, untouchability and sexual oppression in 1991, especially in the villages of Bankhedi, Raja Marihar, Kesla and Bijanhai. In order to investigate these incidences, the PUDR team visited these areas from 28 December 1991 to 2 January 1992 and met with the police officials, villagers and activists of various organisations – Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Samta Sangathan, Student Organisations and Harijan Sangh. The team also met with members of political parties, Congress-I, BJP, Janta Dal, CPI and also some lawyers and journalists.
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Satpura Ki Ghati: People’s Struggle in Hoshangabad
