City Circle SDM Deepak Pandey confirmed the delay, stating, “Today's action has been postponed due to unavailability of adequate police force. It will be carried out soon.”

The settlement, home to over 200 mostly tribal residents for nearly 70 years, sits on 5,613 square feet of identified forest land. Officials issued a vacation notice in August, offering relocation to sites in Bhauri, Kalkheda, and Malikhedi with free housing funded partly by Manas Bhawan management.

Congress state president Jitu Patwari visited the slum on Sunday, meeting residents and warning officials over phone: “If you remove even one brick, you will find me standing there. Our entire Congress team will be present.”

Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh and ex-minister PC Sharma also criticized the move. Residents, many displaying protest placards, appealed for reconsideration, citing loans taken to build homes in narrow lanes.

The administration had mobilized over 100 revenue officials for the operation but held back amid fears of unrest and political backlash.

This standoff highlights ongoing tensions over encroachments on government land in Madhya Pradesh, balancing development needs with rehabilitation promises for long-term settlers.