A Congress-led protest march over the demolition drive in Chhattisgarh's Nakti village turned tense in Raipur on Wednesday after party workers and police were involved in a brief scuffle near Make in India Chowk. The protest, led by Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij, was organised to demand rehabilitation of families affected by the recent bulldozer action and culminated in a march towards Raj Bhavan.

The 14-kilometre 'Nakti Nyay Yatra' began from Nakti village and moved through VIP Road before heading towards the Governor's residence. As the procession advanced, police deployed barricades and heavy security arrangements at several locations, including Ram Mandir Chowk, where the march was expected to be halted.

Tension escalated near Make in India Chowk when protesters attempted to move past police barricades. Police personnel intervened to stop the march, leading to pushing and jostling between demonstrators and security forces. The confrontation caused temporary traffic congestion on the route, although the situation remained under control.

Earlier in the day, Congress leaders and displaced residents staged a symbolic sit-in on the road, sharing a meal together as part of the protest. Women from the affected families raised slogans demanding that they be rehabilitated within Nakti village itself rather than being relocated elsewhere.

Addressing the gathering, Congress leaders alleged that poor families had lost their homes in the demolition drive carried out on June 29 and accused the state government of failing to provide adequate rehabilitation. They said the party would continue its agitation until affected residents received permanent housing and justice.

Former MLA Vikas Upadhyay said the Congress would not end its movement until every displaced family was rehabilitated in Nakti village. He reiterated that the party's demand was for proper resettlement and an impartial inquiry into the demolition exercise.

During the march, Deepak Baij suffered a recurrence of an earlier foot injury. Party leaders said he experienced severe pain while walking and later proceeded towards Raj Bhavan by car. Despite the injury, the Congress leadership confirmed that a delegation would meet the Governor and submit a memorandum highlighting the demands of the displaced families.

The delegation includes several senior Congress leaders, including former MLAs Anita Yogendra Sharma, Anila Bhediya, former Raipur Mayor Pramod Dubey, and other party functionaries, along with representatives of the affected families.

Traffic restrictions were imposed for nearly five hours between Shri Ram Mandir Tiraha (Currency Tower) and Telibandha Police Station Tiraha on the service road due to the march. Traffic police advised commuters to use the main carriageway and avoid the affected stretch.

The protest follows weeks of political confrontation over the Nakti demolition drive. The Congress has consistently alleged that the operation displaced economically weaker families without ensuring proper rehabilitation. The issue has already been raised in the Chhattisgarh Assembly, and the party has indicated it will continue both legislative and public protests until its demands are addressed.

The Raj Bhavan march marks the latest phase of the Congress campaign, with the party seeking intervention from the Governor over rehabilitation, compensation, and an independent inquiry into the demolition action.