Barmer- The Barmer district administration’s ongoing campaign against illegal encroachments on government land sparked strong protests and fresh concerns over the displacement of poor Bhil Adivasi families in Tilak Nagar area on Thursday. Officials demolished several kaccha structures on Aagor (pond catchment) land, leaving many women and children temporarily homeless.

A joint team of administrative and police officials carried out the operation using JCB machines. While most temporary constructions were removed, action on some pakka structures was halted amid resistance. Women and girls from the affected families staged protests some climbing onto tin sheds and rooftops, while others refused to vacate their huts, leading to intervention by female police personnel.

The operation turned tense when women and girls of the affected families tried to protect their homes. One girl reportedly locked herself inside a hut and refused to vacate. Female police personnel were called in to peacefully persuade and remove the protesters. Minor scuffles were reported during the resistance.

Tehsildar Hukumchand reportedly explained to the protesters that no land pattas (titles) are granted on Aagor land and that encroachments on government property would be removed as per rules.

Tribal rights activist Hansraj Meena strongly criticised the administration. In a x post he stated, “In Barmer, the homes of poor Bhil Adivasi families were uprooted, leaving women and children under the open sky. The Bhajanlal government should tell us why rehabilitation arrangements were not made for these families before demolishing their houses?”

Affected residents, mostly landless Bhil families, said they had been living in the area for many years. They alleged that middlemen had sold them plots on government land, and now they face eviction without alternative arrangements. Local voices have raised questions about the lack of prior rehabilitation support for these marginalised families.

Officials maintained that the drive is necessary to free public land, including Aagor areas, from encroachments and that the campaign will continue. No immediate rehabilitation details have been announced for the displaced families.

Several kaccha structures were cleared. The action has triggered wider debate on balancing encroachment removal with humanitarian concerns, particularly for vulnerable Bhil Adivasi communities. No further clashes reported so far.