Jaipur, June 22 -- Villagers of Karauli district protesting over a dispute over the release of water from the Panchana dam on Sunday threatened a rail blockade if their demands are not met by June 28, as two rounds of talks convened by the administration failed to produce a consensus, officials said. Nalini Kathotia, divisional commissioner of Bharatpur division, said that despite two meetings involving representatives of both sides, no agreement had been reached. "We are trying to persuade people from both groups to resolve the issue regarding the release of water from the Panchana dam in Karauli. District collectors of Karauli and Sawai Madhopur have been directed to meet local residents and convince them," Kathotia said. The dispute centres on water from the Panchana dam in Karauli district and involves members of the Gujjar and Meena communities. Residents of 39 villages in Karauli have camped near the dam to prevent the release of water, while people from 35 villages in Sawai Madhopur district have demanded water be released into canals serving their region. In May, the Rajasthan high court directed the state government to release water to villages within the command area of the irrigation project. Protesters are demanding immediate implementation of the order. Congress MLA Ramkesh Meena, who is leading an indefinite dharna in Sawai Madhopur district, accused members of another community of exercising undue control over the dam. "They have virtually taken possession of the dam. The dam is under government control, so how can local people stop the release of water?" Meena said. He said residents had been waiting for irrigation water for nearly two decades despite the High Court's directive. Meena warned the agitation would intensify after June 28 if the issue remained unresolved. Anup Kumar Meena, a representative of the protesters, said they had urged the administration to implement the High Court order and release water into the canal network. He alleged the continued blockade had deprived nearly 9,985 hectares of farmland of irrigation. "Farmers have suffered losses of nearly Rs.200 crore over the past 20 years due to the lack of irrigation water," he said. The issue has triggered political reactions. Congress leader Sachin Pilot urged the government to resolve the dispute through dialogue and ensure compliance with court orders. Vijay Bainsla, convener of the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, accused some leaders of politicising the issue and called for a negotiated settlement. "Ramkesh Meena has remembered this issue just before elections. Why did he not resolve it when his party was in power?" Bainsla said. Former CM inister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP government over its handling of the dispute, saying prolonged tension in eastern Rajasthan was a matter of concern. "It is even more worrying that the Rajasthan government is not taking the matter seriously and has not even convened talks between the two sides, causing resentment among local residents and deepening mistrust," Gehlot said. The BJP accused Gehlot of politicising a sensitive issue. BJP chief spokesperson Ramlal Sharma told HT, "The state government is committed to implementing the court's decision in the matter. Preparations are underway to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the implementation of the order. Congress leaders should refrain from politicising such sensitive issues."...