A forest encroachment removal drive in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district turned violent on Sunday after a joint team of forest officials, police and district administration personnel came under stone pelting in Nepanagar range. Four people, including forest staff and a JCB operator, were injured during the operation in Jhanjhar village, officials said.

The incident took place around 11 am when authorities launched a large-scale action to remove alleged external encroachers from forest land in the Nepa range under Burhanpur forest division. The operation was part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal occupation and deforestation in the region.

Four Injured On Spot

Officials said the injured included a JCB operator identified as Kamal Bansal, a resident of Sidhi, who was rushed to the district hospital after sustaining head injuries. According to preliminary reports, stones were hurled at the earthmover during the demolition drive, causing the driver to lose control and the machine to overturn.

Bansal told officials that a large group, estimated at over 150 people, attacked the enforcement team during the operation. He said the stone pelting caused panic, forcing personnel to retreat briefly to avoid further injuries.

Massive Force Deployed

The forest department had deployed more than 500 officials and staff for the anti-encroachment operation. The team included personnel from Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone and Barwah forest divisions, supported by local police and district administration staff.

Heavy machinery, including JCBs, was moved into the area early on Sunday as part of the coordinated action. The deployment had been planned in advance, with personnel assembled at Burhanpur police lines on Saturday evening before being sent to the field.

Action Planned Earlier

According to officials, the forest encroachment removal drive had been under preparation for several weeks. Authorities had been planning action against alleged outside encroachers occupying protected forest land, but the date of execution had not been finalised until now.

Divisional Forest Officer Vidyabhushan Singh said the operation was aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised occupants from forest land in the Nepanagar range. According to officials, eligible forest rights claimants would not face eviction, but action would continue against those lacking valid documentation.

Years Of Encroachment

Forest officials said Nepanagar and Navra ranges have witnessed large-scale encroachment and forest cutting over the past several years. According to officials, large tracts of forest land were cleared by alleged encroachers, damaging plantation zones created after earlier restoration efforts.

Sources indicated the forest department had carried out plantation work in the area after earlier encroachment drives, but officials feared renewed occupation could undo those efforts. Saplings planted in recent years are still in the growth phase and require long-term protection.

Earlier Crackdown Recalled

Officials said this is not the first major enforcement action in the area. Around two-and-a-half years ago, the district administration, police and forest department had jointly removed more than 1,000 temporary structures from forest land in Navra range during a 17-day anti-encroachment drive.

Following that operation, notices were issued asking alleged encroachers to vacate forest land. However, officials said several occupants continued to remain in the area despite repeated warnings and legal notices.

More Action Likely

Authorities said the current operation would continue despite Sunday’s violence. According to officials, those with valid claims under applicable forest rights provisions would be protected, while action would proceed against ineligible occupants claiming possession without documentary proof.

The latest forest encroachment action in Burhanpur is likely to remain under close administrative watch as officials push ahead with eviction, restoration and enforcement measures.