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.