Raipur Municipal Corporation had planned to shift the popular NIT Chowpatty to Amanaka on November 22. Opposing this move, traders, Congress leaders, and former MLA Vikas Upadhyay staged an overnight sit-in from Thursday night.
Protesters alleged that the relocation decision was taken without prior notice or discussion, and the sudden order would directly impact around 60–70 shops and their livelihoods.
Tension Escalates in the Morning
As soon as the municipal team arrived with JCB machines to start the removal work, tension escalated.
Vikas Upadhyay and other leaders lay down in front of the JCB, climbed onto the machine, and resisted the operation.
Police intervention led to scuffles, after which several protesters were forcibly removed and detained.
A video showing police dragging the former MLA went viral, intensifying the political controversy.
Traders’ Allegations
Shopkeepers claimed:
They said the abrupt removal would leave dozens of families without income.
Vikas Upadhyay criticized the government, saying:
“A facility built for ā¹10 crore is being dismantled. Local elected representatives don’t even understand student needs. Our people were injured, but the government is being stubborn.”
He also alleged that the ruling party ignored his attempts to discuss the issue.
Deputy CM Arun Sao countered, calling the protest politically motivated:
“The Congress behaves one way in power and another in opposition. This double standard is visible again.”
The detained leaders and traders were taken to Central Jail.
It is still unclear whether the administration will continue the relocation work immediately, but the issue has now escalated into a full-fledged political confrontation.
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