Durg Encroachment Drive: Bulldozer Rolls Over BJP Leader’s Kin’s Shop After Massive Opium Haul

In a major crackdown on illegal land grabbing and following one of the largest drug busts in the region, the Durg district administration on Tuesday demolished a shop owned by the brother of a local BJP leader. The action, which took place in Gram Samoda, comes just days after authorities seized a staggering 62,000 kg of opium from a farm linked to the same family.

The bulldozer was deployed against the property of Brijesh Tamrakar, the brother of Vinayak Tamrakar, a BJP leader who was recently arrested for allegedly cultivating opium on a large scale. The demolition is being seen as a firm message from the administration against influential land mafias.

 20-Year-Old Illegal Encroachment Removed

Officials from the revenue department, accompanied by a heavy police force, carried out the anti-encroachment drive in Samoda village on Tuesday afternoon. The target was a building materials shop constructed by Brijesh Tamrakar on 32 dismil of government land.

According to local villagers, the encroachment was over two decades old. "This shop has been illegal for 20 years. There were orders to remove it back in 2013, but nothing happened until now," said Neeraj, a local resident who had previously alerted authorities about the opium cultivation. The administration finally acted on March 10, 2026, clearing the illegal structure.

During the demolition, a crowd of onlookers gathered, with some villagers raising slogans against the BJP government and the accused leader. The presence of Tehsildar Kshama Yadu ensured the operation was carried out without any major law and order issues.

 The Opium Trail: A Multi-Crore Seizure

This encroachment action is the second act in a high-profile case that began on March 6, when police raided Vinayak Tamrakar’s farmland in Samoda and Jhenjhari villages. What they found was astonishing: over 5 acres of land were being used to illegally cultivate opium poppies.

After days of uprooting the plants, the authorities have seized a total of approximately 62,000 kilograms of opium plants. The estimated value of this haul is a staggering ₹7.88 crore. The massive quantity of the seized crop required four tractors to transport it to a secure location, where it awaits disposal after receiving permission from the environmental department.

Adding to the gravity of the case, police revealed that the farm was heavily fortified. "The accused had installed live electric wires on the fencing near the gate to prevent anyone from entering the field," a police official stated. "They had also deployed bouncers for security."

 Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

The police have already arrested Vinayak Tamrakar and two other accused individuals in connection with the opium cultivation case, while two others remain absconding. Searches at the premises of a linked individual, Vikas Bishnoi, led to the recovery of raw opium, poppy seeds, and equipment used for processing.

The land on which the opium was grown is officially registered in the names of Preetibala and Madhumati Tamrakar, who are reportedly Vinayak’s sisters. During questioning, both women claimed ignorance of the illegal farming, stating that Vinayak never allowed them to visit the field.

 What’s Next?

The administration has made it clear that the crackdown will not stop here. "The 20-year-old encroachment on the 32 dismil of land has been cleared today," said Naib Tehsildar Kshama Yadu. "The revenue team is now investigating other illegal encroachments on government land in the area."

With two accused still on the run and the massive task of destroying 62,000 kg of narcotic crop pending, this case remains a top priority for the Durg police and administration. The twin actions—the drug bust and the bulldozer drive—signal a zero-tolerance approach towards a nexus of political influence, land grabbing, and illegal narcotics in the region.

In a major anti-encroachment operation, the Indore administration on Saturday cleared approximately 25,000 square feet of government land behind Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH) and near the Super Speciality Hospital. Illegal structures built in the name of a mosque were demolished using heavy machinery, marking a firm step towards reclaiming public property.

The drive began at 7:30 am and lasted about one-and-a-half hours. Senior officials including SDM Ghanshyam Dhangar, Tehsildar Kamlesh Kushwah, Additional DCP Ramsnehi Mishra, ACP Tushar Singh, and municipal Zonal Officer Geetesh Tiwari led the teams. Two poclain machines, three JCBs, over 100 civic staff, and more than 100 police personnel were deployed on the spot.

Workers removed a boundary wall, common toilet, the front portion of a hall, and an adjacent garden area. Some local people gathered and protested, but officials persuaded them and the operation continued smoothly. The mosque committee has now been given seven days to voluntarily remove the remaining portion of the hall.

Court Order Clears the Way for Action  

The entire operation was carried out on the basis of a clear Tehsildar court order. Tehsildar Kamlesh Kushwah rejected the claims made by the Waqf Board and mosque management committee. His order stated that only 300 square feet of construction was permitted in 1985. Over the years, the structure had illegally expanded to nearly 30,000 square feet on government land.

Records show the land falls in CRP Line area of Juni Indore tehsil, Block No. 12 (new survey 38). It is clearly listed as government land in Nazul records and lies in an unserved portion of the Residency area. The case came to light after a complaint by a local resident.

Investigation Reveals Tampering  

During the probe, officials found that the original 1985 permission letter allowed mosque construction only within 300 square feet. Google satellite images confirm the initial structure was small. Shockingly, the word “mosque” appears to have been added later in different handwriting on the document.

SDM Ghanshyam Dhangar confirmed that the land belongs to the government and the administration is committed to protecting public property. “This action sends a strong message that no one is above the law,” he said.

Why This Matters Right Now  

Indore has been witnessing a sustained drive against encroachments on government and public land. With hospitals like MYH and the Super Speciality Hospital already facing space crunch, freeing 25,000 square feet opens up possibilities for better civic facilities, parking, or green spaces in a high-traffic medical zone.

Local residents welcomed the move, saying it will improve access and safety around the busy hospital area. The administration has made it clear that similar drives will continue wherever illegal constructions are found on government land.

This successful Indore encroachment removal operation once again highlights the district administration’s focus on transparent governance and rule of law. Citizens can now expect cleaner, encroachment-free public spaces in the coming months.