The rehabilitation dispute surrounding Chhattisgarh's Nakti village escalated on Friday as displaced residents, accompanied by Congress leaders and workers, staged a protest outside the Chief Minister's residence in Raipur. The demonstrators demanded compensation, restoration of their land, and withdrawal of criminal cases filed against villagers, warning the state government that they would intensify their agitation if their demands were not addressed within five days.

Security was tightened around the Chief Minister's residence as a large police contingent was deployed to prevent any breach of law and order. Protesters remained seated on the road for several hours and even ate meals at the protest site as a mark of defiance.

When police personnel reportedly asked them to vacate the area, villagers responded by saying that after losing their homes, they were now being prevented from even eating in public. The emotional scenes reflected growing resentment among families displaced following the recent demolition drive in Nakti village.

The latest demonstration comes just days after the affected residents surrounded the official residence of state minister O.P. Choudhary. Since the demolition, several families have continued to stay near the remains of their demolished houses despite heavy rain and muddy conditions. The villagers had earlier also staged protests outside the Raipur Collectorate, demanding relief and rehabilitation.

Villagers Seek Compensation, Land and Withdrawal of FIRs

During Friday's protest, the administration invited a delegation of ten women representatives to meet the Raipur Collector.

According to the protesters, they reiterated three key demands before the district administration:

• Restoration of their land or suitable rehabilitation.

• Adequate compensation for demolished houses.

• Withdrawal of police cases registered against affected villagers.

Officials assured the delegation that their demands would be forwarded to the state government for consideration. However, no immediate decision was announced.

The protesters subsequently dispersed after issuing a five-day ultimatum, warning that they would launch a larger statewide movement if no concrete action was taken.

Congress Warns of Statewide Protest

Congress leaders supporting the agitation accused the state government of ignoring the concerns of displaced families.

Party representatives said that if the administration failed to resolve the issue within the stipulated period, they would first approach the Governor seeking intervention. If that also failed to yield results, the Congress would consider calling for a Chhattisgarh bandh in support of the displaced villagers.

Demolition Followed Bulldozer Drive

The controversy stems from a demolition drive carried out three days earlier in Nakti village, where authorities used bulldozers to demolish around 85 houses.

According to the Housing Board, 77 individuals had allegedly encroached upon nearly 15 hectares of government land earmarked for development. Officials have maintained that rehabilitation measures, including allotment of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) housing, have been initiated for affected families. However, several displaced residents claim that many families are yet to receive alternative accommodation.

Political Row Deepens

The issue has generated political debate across party lines.

Reports indicate that two days before the demolition, villagers had met Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, who allegedly assured them that no demolition would take place during the monsoon while discussions were underway to find a solution. Despite those assurances, the demolition was carried out on June 29, prompting criticism from local residents.

Adding to the controversy, BJP leader Devji Bhai Patel has written to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, describing the demolition as harsh and urging the government to rehabilitate villagers at their original location. He suggested that the proposed MLA residential colony could instead be developed elsewhere, including in Nava Raipur.

An earlier letter written by MP Brijmohan Agrawal to the Chief Minister has also resurfaced on social media. In the correspondence, reportedly written nearly a year ago, the MP had expressed reservations over selecting Nakti village for the proposed MLA colony, arguing that evicting economically weaker families would not be appropriate from a humanitarian perspective.

Congress MLA Chaturi Nand has also urged the government to shift the proposed MLA housing project to available government land in Nava Raipur rather than displacing poor families. In her letter, she described the demolition as "inhuman" and maintained that public representatives should protect citizens' rights rather than benefit at their expense.

As political pressure mounts and displaced families continue their protests, the state government faces increasing scrutiny over its rehabilitation policy and handling of the Nakti village eviction.

Rewa's Amahiya Encroachment Drive Sparks Political Firestorm

Congress Alleges Injustice Against the Poor as Administration Defends Anti-Encroachment Action in Madhya Pradesh

A routine anti-encroachment drive in Rewa's Amahiya locality has turned into a full-blown political flashpoint, with the Congress party accusing the local administration of targeting the poor without adequate notice or rehabilitation support. The Rewa municipal body and district administration, however, have defended the operation as lawful and necessary.

The Drive That Sparked the Row

The Rewa Nagar Nigam launched the encroachment removal campaign in the Amahiya area to clear illegal structures from public land. The drive, described by officials as part of a broader urban management exercise, has resulted in the demolition of several makeshift homes and establishments, leaving a number of families displaced.

The action comes amid wider efforts by civic bodies across Madhya Pradesh to reclaim encroached government land — a politically sensitive issue that frequently pits urban administrations against opposition parties.

Congress Submits Memorandum, Raises Rehabilitation Demand

Congress MLA Abhay Mishra visited the affected area and submitted a formal memorandum against the drive, accusing the administration of conducting demolitions without giving residents adequate time to relocate their belongings. He alleged that neither proper advance notice was served nor any concrete rehabilitation arrangement put in place for the families losing their homes.

Mishra also targeted Mayor Ajay Mishra 'Baba', claiming the top municipal official had failed to stand by the poor and had done little to intervene on behalf of affected residents during the demolition process.

Mayor Dismisses Allegations as Politically Motivated

Mayor Ajay Mishra 'Baba' came out strongly against the Congress claims, calling them baseless and politically driven. He stated that not a single affected person had approached him directly seeking assistance — a claim that, he argued, undermined the opposition's narrative.

The Mayor reiterated that the Nagar Nigam was functioning strictly within the bounds of law and that clearing illegal encroachments was not only the administration's right but its responsibility.

SDM Clarifies: Only 5 Qualify as Displaced

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Anurag Tiwari brought a clearer administrative perspective to the debate. According to him, only five individuals across the entire affected stretch genuinely qualify under the displacement category — meaning they had some legitimate claim to the land or structure. The rest, he said, had been occupying public property through unauthorised encroachment.

Tiwari confirmed that the drive would continue as planned, and that proceedings would remain in accordance with established legal procedure. "Action is being taken under the rules and no one will face injustice," he said, according to sources.

Rehabilitation at the Heart of the Debate

At the crux of the political dispute lies the question of rehabilitation. Opposition voices argue that even if the encroachments were illegal, the human cost — particularly for economically vulnerable families — cannot be dismissed without offering alternative arrangements. Congress has demanded that affected families be provided transitional support before any further demolitions proceed.

The administration's position, meanwhile, is that the majority of those affected do not qualify for rehabilitation since their presence on the land was itself unauthorised.

A Familiar Political Flashpoint

Anti-encroachment drives have historically been a pressure point in Indian municipal politics, where the line between illegal occupation and informal housing for the urban poor is often blurred. In Rewa, this latest episode reflects a broader tension between civic governance imperatives and the ground realities of low-income settlements.

Both sides appear entrenched in their positions, and with the Nagar Nigam signalling that the operation will push ahead, further confrontations between the administration and the opposition cannot be ruled out.

What Comes Next

As per reports, the drive in Amahiya is expected to continue in phases. The Congress has indicated it will keep the pressure on both the municipal body and the district administration through public demonstrations and official representations. The matter could also find its way into the state assembly, given that an elected MLA has already formally intervened.

With only five families officially recognised under the displaced category, the fate of the remaining affected residents — and how the Rewa administration handles the political fallout — will be closely watched in the days ahead. This Rewa encroachment row is now part of a growing national conversation on balancing urban development with the rights of the poor.