Rewari villagers form human chain to press demand for new hospital site

The row over the proposed 200-bed hospital in Rewari took a sharper turn on Tuesday as residents from several villages, including women, formed a human chain demanding its construction at Bhagwanpur-Ramgarh.

Led by the Hospital Banao Sangharsh Samiti, villagers have been staging an indefinite sit-in at Bhagwanpur-Ramgarh for over two months. On Tuesday, they lined up in a 1.5-km stretch from Ramgarh to Budani village, intensifying their agitation.

“Villagers from nearby areas gathered at the protest site in the morning and formed a 1.5-kilometre-long human chain to intensify pressure on the government as the Bhagwanpur-Ramgarh site is the most suitable location for the hospital,” said Tej Singh, a key leader of the Sangharsh Samiti.

The protesters alleged that attempts were being made to weaken their agitation and divert public attention. “The dharna will continue until the state government agrees to our demand,” they said.

The demonstration came just two days after Health Minister Arti Singh Rao indicated that the existing Civil Hospital may instead be reconstructed and upgraded at its current location if the Public Works Department approves the plan.

Questioning the move, Tej Singh said: “If the government always intended to redevelop the existing Civil Hospital, what was the point of conducting surveys in different villages? The current hospital is located in a congested, low-lying area that floods every monsoon, making it highly inconvenient for patients and staff. Everyone knows a new location is necessary. These statements are only meant to dilute our movement.”

He also pointed out that the village panchayat had already provided 10 acres for a waterworks facility after assurances that the hospital would be built at Bhagwanpur-Ramgarh.

Singh warned that the agitation could be intensified in the coming days if the government fails to accept the demand.