Mandsaur Congress warns of agitation over nilgai crop damage and halted Rs 4 lakh road-death aid

Congress leaders in Mandsaur met District Forest Officer (DFO) Sanjay Raikhere and demanded that the Rs 4 lakh assistance for deaths in road accidents caused by collisions with nilgai (locally called rojda) be restarted, and that the nilgai problem be resolved. They warned that they would launch an agitation if this was not done.

Nilgai are damaging farmers' crops in Mandsaur by 40 to 60 per cent, and the Rs 4 lakh aid for deaths in such accidents has also been stopped.

Congress leaders said the government issued an order on August 9, 2025, changing the rules for compensation for deaths caused by wild animals. According to them, no aid will now be given when a death involving a wild animal results from a collision with a vehicle or motorcycle. The instructions are to reject such cases in Form 5. Earlier, the family of the deceased received Rs 4 lakh, and the seriously injured were given help with treatment.

The Congress also said it would raise the issue with MLA Vipin Jain and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar.

DFO Raikhere said a plan has been made to capture nilgai in the Malhargarh area. Villages have been identified within radii of 3, 5 and 7 km. The nilgai will be captured by the boma method and released in the Gandhisagar Sanctuary.

The villages within 3 km are Mundedi, Badri, Kachariya Chandrawat, Chawli, Gudbheli, Nalikheda, Barkheda Jaisingh, Kheda, Dunglawada, Napakheda, Garawad, Nagar Pipalya, Talav Pipalya and Songra.

Those within 5 km are Richha, Akyapalra, Kamliya, Lasudiya Rathore, Chitakhedi, Borkhedi, Pipliyapanth, Pipliyamandi, Tilakheda, Khatyakhedi, Jalodiya, Babukheda, Sujanpura, Umariya, Semli, Bahi and Takrawad.

Those within 7 km are Narayangarh, Barujna, Banskhedi, Turkiya, Chauthkhedi, Bhangipipliya, Deori, Belara, Thadod, Sokdi, Khokhra, Suthod and Akli.

Congress leader Anil Sharma said he had suggested to former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and the then Collector Aditi Garg that nilgai be captured and released in the Gandhisagar Sanctuary as food for cheetahs. Forest officials also said cheetahs are hunting nilgai. The DFO has assured that a drive to capture nilgai will be run soon.