Protests Erupt In Village Near Raipur Over Eviction Drive For 'MLA Colony'

News18

2 days ago

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Residents argue that the land, classified as 'Shamilat Charagah' — traditionally used as common pasture — has been in their families for generations.
Over 80 families in Sammanpur village, located in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, have been protesting for the past 10 days following eviction notices issued by the local administration, which claimed they had 'illegally occupied" the land.
Residents argue that the land, classified as 'Shamilat Charagah' — traditionally used as common pasture — has been in their families for generations.
They also point out that nearly 30 houses in the area were constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the central government's flagship housing scheme for economically weaker sections, reported PTI.
They claimed that now the government plans to build a colony for legislators on the land in question. However, the administration did not confirm it.
Women Lead Protest
In Sammanpur village—also known as Nakti—on the outskirts of Raipur near the airport, villagers, especially women armed with sticks, have been holding daily protests inside the local community hall.
For the past 10 days, the demonstrations have continued from 10 am to 10 pm, as the residents oppose the eviction notices served by the local administration.
Most of the villagers are daily wage labourers who live hand to mouth.
One of the villagers, Roshan Sahu, told PTI on Tuesday, on April 17 this year, Raipur tehsildar (revenue officials) served eviction notices to around 85 families who have been residing in the Bhatapara area, the outskirts of the village to vacate the land.
The eviction notices by the tehsildar said the land situated in Khasra no. 460, measuring 15.4790 hectares (around 38 acres) in Nakti village of the district Raipur, has been encroached/occupied by the encroachers residing in Nakti Gram Panchayat.
The order to evict the encroachers from the said land was passed by this (tehsildar) court on April 11, 2025, under section 248 of the Land Revenue Code 195.
In the notice, the authorities asked the occupants to leave their possession of land failing which the encroachment will be removed forcibly.
Sahu said the 38 acres of land on Khasra no. 460 do not belong to the government and it has been classified as 'Shamilat Charagah' in the land record. The names of owners are still mentioned in the land record and our forefathers have been owners since 1940, he said.
In the last 35-40 years, around 85 families from the village shifted to this land, he said.
Of the total houses, around 30 were built under the PM housing scheme, while around 10 houses were being constructed under the scheme but were put on hold by the administration after eviction notices served, he said.
Electricity lines were laid by the government in the locality and tap water connections were laid under Jal Jeevan Mission by erecting two overhead plastic tanks in the village, he said.
After spending several lakhs of rupees to provide various amenities in the area, the government now claims its residents as encroachers, the villager added.
When we contacted the local public representative and administration, they said the land will be used for the construction of the MLA colony, he claimed.
Sahu, 32, said he was born in a house built on the same land, living there with his family since his birth.
Newly-elected sarpanch of Nakti village panchayat Bihari Yadav, 48, said the village has a population of around 2,500 people and 85 families comprising around 350 people have received the eviction notice from the tehsildar for encroaching on government land triggering the protest.
These families have been staying here for 30-40 years.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published:
June 03, 2025, 22:11 IST