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.

The third day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly's Monsoon Session witnessed heated exchanges on Wednesday as the ruling BJP and the Congress clashed over the Nakti demolition drive and alleged tiger poaching in the Indravati Tiger Reserve. The proceedings were marked by slogan-shouting, the suspension of Congress legislators, and sharp accusations over governance, rehabilitation, and wildlife protection.

The Opposition brought an adjournment motion over the demolition of houses in Nakti village, alleging that the action amounted to a violation of human rights and reflected a growing "bulldozer culture" in BJP-ruled states. Congress members demanded a detailed discussion in the House and sought an explanation from the government over the rehabilitation of displaced families.

Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh rejected the adjournment motion, prompting Congress MLAs to enter the well of the House and raise slogans against the government. Following continued protests, all Congress legislators were suspended from the day's proceedings.

Responding to the allegations, Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma defended the demolition drive, stating that the action was carried out strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and due legal process.

The minister said notices had been issued to all encroachers before the eviction, adding that the operation followed judicial procedures. He also maintained that rehabilitation measures had been undertaken and claimed no household belongings were damaged during the exercise. The government further rejected allegations that the demolition was carried out amid adverse weather conditions.

The Assembly also witnessed an intense debate over the alleged poaching of tigers in the Indravati Tiger Reserve during a calling attention motion raised by Leader of Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant.

Mahant alleged that two tigers had been killed and wildlife traffickers earned nearly ₹4 crore through the illegal trade. He questioned why the identity of an Intelligence Bureau personnel arrested in connection with the case had not been made public and accused the government of shielding influential individuals.

He further claimed that surveillance cameras remained non-functional for nearly two hours during the incident despite prior intelligence alerts, alleging serious lapses in forest protection.

Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap denied any attempt to protect those involved, asserting that the investigation was proceeding impartially and that no names had been deliberately concealed.

The minister informed the House that 126 surveillance cameras are operational inside the reserve and denied reports that the cameras had been switched off. He said action would be taken against every person found responsible while maintaining that tiger numbers in the reserve were improving.

During supplementary questions, Congress MLA Vikram Mandavi sought details on the tiger population and budgetary allocation for the reserve. Kashyap informed the Assembly that the 2022 assessment confirmed the presence of five tigers in the reserve and that approximately ₹10 crore is spent annually on its management. He added that while six tiger skins had been recovered, investigations were yet to establish whether all belonged to tigers from the Indravati Tiger Reserve.

Question Hour also saw discussions on the procurement of medicines through the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC). Congress MLA Atal Shrivastava questioned the purchase of medicines from a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company after some of its products had reportedly failed quality tests.

Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal clarified that no banned medicines had been procured by the state government. He stated that 24 medicines had failed quality tests over the past two years and four companies had subsequently been blacklisted.

Infrastructure issues also featured prominently during the proceedings, with legislators raising concerns over the condition of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced that the government plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence-based technology for road condition assessments, replacing the existing manual inspection process. He said video recordings of roads would enable AI systems to identify potholes and determine maintenance requirements.

With repeated confrontations between the treasury and Opposition benches, the Assembly's third day underscored growing political tensions ahead of key legislative business scheduled later in the Monsoon Session.

A political confrontation has intensified in Chhattisgarh over the demolition drive in Nakti village, with the state government and the opposition Congress presenting conflicting accounts of the action carried out on June 29.

Defending the government's move, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said the administration had removed encroachments only from one ward of Nakti village and not from the entire settlement, rejecting allegations that the whole village had been demolished.

According to the minister, Nakti village comprises 17 wards, and the anti-encroachment drive was confined to a single ward where government revenue land had allegedly been occupied. He added that the affected families had already been rehabilitated and provided housing in Nava Raipur.

Government Defends Action

Kashyap said the land in question continues to belong to the Revenue Department and that the process for allocating around 15.47 hectares of land for a housing project had begun during the previous Congress government in 2020.

He stated that the Chhattisgarh Housing Board had submitted a proposal to the district administration in 2020, followed by revenue surveys and administrative procedures in 2021. During this period, encroachments allegedly expanded from nearly three hectares to around 15 hectares, prompting the administration to initiate legal action.

The minister also claimed that district officials held multiple rounds of discussions with local representatives and affected families before the demolition and ensured rehabilitation by allotting houses in Nava Raipur.

Congress Rejects Government's Claims

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP government of misleading the public over the Nakti demolition.

He alleged that the government was making contradictory statements and claimed that official records contradict the current stand taken by ministers.

Baghel referred to discussions held in the state Assembly, saying Revenue Minister OP Choudhary had previously acknowledged the Nakti land issue. He further claimed that the then CEO of the Nava Raipur Development Authority (NRDA), Ankit Anand, had directed the district administration regarding the removal of encroachments.

"The BJP teaches its leaders to lie while looking people in the eye," Baghel alleged while accusing the government of suppressing facts.

Questions Over Proposed Land Use

Former minister Mohammad Akbar also questioned the government's position, alleging inconsistencies regarding the future use of the land.

He claimed that while Housing Board Chairman Anurag Singh Deo recently denied any proposal for an MLA-MP residential colony, an official communication issued by the Housing and Environment Department in October 2024 had directed the district administration to free nearly 72 acres of land for the proposed project.

Akbar questioned whether such correspondence could have been issued without ministerial approval and alleged that the government was issuing conflicting statements to conceal its decisions.

Background of the Demolition

The demolition drive was carried out on June 29, during which around 80 houses were demolished in Nakti village.

The Housing Board has claimed that 77 individuals had encroached upon nearly 15 hectares of government land. While the administration says affected families have been allotted EWS houses in Nava Raipur, several displaced residents have alleged that not every family has received alternative accommodation.

The issue continues to trigger political debate, with the Congress staging protests and demanding greater transparency over the demolition and future use of the land.

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.

The protest was against the demolition of 80 houses in Raipur's Naktī village to make way for an MLA colony; Congress leaders joined the agitation.

After an 11-hour sit-in outside the Raipur collectorate, residents of Naktī village called off their protest on Thursday following talks with administrative officials. However, they have issued a 24-hour ultimatum — if their demands are not met by Friday 11 am, they will launch an indefinite sit-in and a 'jail bharo' (go to jail) movement.

The protest was held against the demolition of 80 houses in Naktī village on Monday to make way for a proposed MLA colony. The affected families, supported by Congress leaders, staged the demonstration demanding rehabilitation and proper compensation.

On June 29, the administration demolished around 80 houses in Naktī village under Raipur's Mana area. The demolished structures reportedly included 32 houses built under PM Awas Yojana and Indira Awas Yojana.

The administration claimed that affected families have been offered rehabilitation in EWS (Economically Weaker Section) houses in Sector-30, Naya Raipur. However, villagers rejected this, saying the houses are too small for their families and lack basic facilities.

"We have been given houses, but they are so small that a family cannot live in them. There are no proper facilities," a protester told reporters.

Congress leaders, including Raipur district Congress functionaries, joined the protest. Saraypali Congress MLA Chaturinanda wrote to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, demanding that the MLA colony plan be scrapped or shifted to Naya Raipur.

"We are elected to give people a roof over their heads, not to take it away. We do not want such an MLA colony built by demolishing the homes of the poor," Chaturinanda said in his letter.

Congress MLA Kavita Lahre also wrote to the Chief Minister opposing the demolition. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visited the affected families the day after the demolition and assured them of Congress support.

A year-old letter from Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has gone viral on social media. In the letter, Agrawal had objected to the land selection for the MLA colony, stating that displacing the poor was not humane.

Notably, villagers had met Agrawal just two days before the demolition. The MP had assured them that no demolition would take place until the monsoon ended and that efforts were being made to find a middle ground.

Protesters are demanding:

- Immediate halt to the demolition drive

- Proper rehabilitation and compensation for affected families

- Alternative land for the MLA colony in Naya Raipur

MLA Chaturinanda has suggested that the government develop the MLA colony in Naya Raipur, where hundreds of acres of government land are available.

"Demolishing the homes of the poor to build luxury accommodations for public representatives is not right under any circumstances," he wrote.

Police had barricaded the collectorate and deployed additional forces to manage the protest. Officials held discussions with the protesters and convinced them to call off the sit-in temporarily.

The district administration has maintained that the demolition was carried out after following due process and that rehabilitation is being provided. However, villagers remain unsatisfied.

The situation is being closely watched as the 24-hour deadline approaches.

Displaced families from Nakti village in Raipur spent a sleepless night under the open sky after the administration demolished around 80 houses early Monday morning for the proposed MLA colony.

The demolition drive began around 4 am after electricity supply to the area was suddenly cut off. Heavy police force was deployed as JCB machines razed the structures, including several houses built under PM and Indira Awas schemes. Many residents, including women, children, and elderly, were seen sitting helplessly on the rubble of their homes with their belongings scattered around.

Congress leader Vikas Upadhyay visited the spot late Monday night and heard the grievances of the affected people. Residents alleged that they were being given only one small room in EWS houses in Sector-30 of Naya Raipur for families as large as 12-14 members, without basic facilities like electricity, water, or toilets.

People claimed they were betrayed. Just two days ago, they had met Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, who reportedly assured them that no houses would be demolished during the rainy season and that a middle path would be found. “The MP also lied to us,” they alleged.

Congress leader Vikas Upadhyay strongly criticised the move, saying over 95 families were rendered homeless for the MLA colony. Former Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo also condemned the action, calling it insensitive, especially ahead of the monsoon.

The administration maintained that the land was government-owned and the occupation illegal. Officials claimed rehabilitation process for the 75 affected families has been initiated in Naya Raipur’s EWS housing.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with questions being raised over the timing of the demolition and the adequacy of rehabilitation arrangements. Many families spent the night in the open with children going hungry.

The situation remains tense as displaced residents continue to protest and demand proper rehabilitation before further action.

Tension gripped Nakti village in Raipur’s Mana area on Monday as the administration began demolishing around 80 houses, including 32 under PM and Indira Awas schemes, to make way for a proposed MLA colony.

Heavy police deployment was made since late Sunday night with over 1,000 personnel on the spot. As soon as the JCB machines arrived in the morning, residents came out and stood in front of the machines in protest. This led to scuffles between police and villagers. Several dramatic scenes were witnessed as people sat with their belongings outside their homes while others looked on helplessly.

One poignant image showed an elderly man sitting on the rubble of his demolished house, holding a small child in his lap. Women were seen crying and asking where they would go now.

The administration maintained that the land was government-owned and the occupation was illegal. Officials said arrangements are being made to rehabilitate the affected 75 families in EWS houses in Sector-30 of Naya Raipur. The allotment process has been expedited.

Villagers, however, argued that they have been living in the area for years and many houses were built under government housing schemes. They claimed the land was originally part of Nakti village’s nistari (common) land that later became part of the village habitation. They alleged that old land disputes and political decisions are behind the sudden drive.

This is not the first time action is being taken. Last year too, the administration had issued notices, but the drive was stopped after protests and intervention by public representatives.

The demolition drive is currently focused on Ward 16 and 17. Residents have been demanding proper rehabilitation and alternative land before eviction.The incident has once again brought into focus issues of displacement in the name of development, especially when it involves families already living under government housing schemes.

Police said they are maintaining law and order and the situation is being monitored closely. Further details on the number of houses demolished and rehabilitation timeline are awaited as the operation continues.