Katni. Villagers staged a massive, aggressive protest on the Katni-Shahdol National Highway on Monday, highlighting the brutality and inhumane conduct of the NKJ police. It is alleged that a minor boy, who had gone to the police station to collect an acknowledgment receipt for a complaint, was detained for six hours, stripped naked, and brutally beaten. News of the incident sparked outrage among hundreds of villagers from Juhli village, who blocked the road at Juhli Mod. The ensuing commotion lasted for about three hours, causing a traffic jam stretching for kilometers on both sides of the highway, with vehicle queues extending up to the Majhgawan toll plaza.

Allegation of brutality against a minor for seeking a receipt
Villagers allege that the victim, a minor, had gone to the police station to ask for a receipt acknowledging a complaint he had previously filed. Angered by this, NKJ police personnel detained him and held him captive for approximately six hours. During this time, he was stripped naked and subjected to cruel physical assault, eventually losing consciousness.
On Monday evening, the outraged villagers laid the allegedly unconscious minor on the middle of the road and staged a sit-in protest. The protesters remained adamant in their demand for the immediate suspension of the guilty police personnel and strict legal action against them. A heated argument and a scuffle also broke out between the protesters and the police during the demonstration.

Traffic halted for 3 hours; queues extended to the toll plaza
The road blockade, which began around 7 PM, continued until 9:30 PM. The closure of the busy national highway brought traffic to a standstill. A massive traffic jam stretched for kilometers from Juhli Mod to the Majhgawan toll plaza, leaving hundreds of passenger and freight vehicles stranded.
Tight security arrangements: Observing the escalating tension, additional police forces—including personnel from three different police stations—were deployed at the scene.

Long-standing dispute between two groups sparks unrest
According to sources, tension had been brewing for several days in Juhla village due to a long-standing feud between the Yadav and Adivasi communities. On Sunday, the dispute escalated into a physical altercation, and representatives from both sides went to the NKJ police station to lodge complaints. Amidst this process, reports emerged of police brutality against a minor boy from the Yadav group; this acted as a spark to the powder keg, prompting the entire village to take to the streets in protest.

Road cleared following assurances
A heavy police force, including DSP (Headquarters) Ratnesh Mishra and Kuthla Station House Officer (SHO) Akhilesh Dahiya, arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control. Officials made concerted efforts to reason with the villagers.
DSP (Headquarters) Ratnesh Mishra told the media, "An impartial inquiry into the matter will be conducted. Any police personnel found guilty during the investigation will face the strictest possible punitive action."

The villagers agreed to clear the road around 9:30 PM after receiving firm assurances from senior officials. Subsequently, it took the police over an hour to restore normal traffic flow and clear the stranded vehicles. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure, and the situation remains under control.