MP: 4 Generations of Cultivation Wiped Out in 4 Hours: Tribal Families Clash with Forest Department in Khandwa

Bhopal- A major controversy has erupted during an anti-encroachment drive by the Forest Department on government land in village Narlay, under the Mandhata assembly constituency of Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. As soon as the administrative team arrived at the spot, tribal families who had been living there for years began protesting. The situation quickly turned tense, leading to a sharp argument and confrontation between forest officials and villagers.

It is being reported that this action was being taken regarding land that was transferred to the Forest Department in 2022 in exchange for land used for the Advait Lok project being built in Omkareshwar. According to the administration, approximately 9.36 hectares (about 23 acres) of revenue land was handed over to the Forest Department, on which encroachment was found. A joint team arrived at the village on Saturday to remove this encroachment.

Farming for four generations, settlement suddenly destroyed

Bhil tribal families from the village claim they have been living on this land for the past 70-80 years. Villagers including Bhaiyalal, Om Prakash, Pancham, Jogiya, Ajay Bare, and Arun stated that the land has been in their possession since the time of their ancestors, and that they had turned barren land into arable farmland.

The villagers allege that their settlement was destroyed in just a few hours without adequate notice or alternative arrangements. “We made this land fertile through our own labor, arranged irrigation, but now we have been removed by calling us encroachers,” the villagers said.

They also claim to have paid fines to the revenue department multiple times and possess receipts for these payments. Because of this, they had hoped the administration would recognize their rights, but instead, action was taken against them.

A video from the operation has surfaced, in which Forest Ranger Shankar Singh Chauhan is seen speaking harshly to the villagers. In the video, he can reportedly be heard saying, “Don’t talk too much nonsense… support us, otherwise I will dig your grave right here.”

This statement has further inflamed the situation. Villagers allege that not only is the administration taking away their land, but they are also being threatened.

He said the team had only gone to remove encroachment from government land and the action was being taken according to the law.

During the operation, the administrative team used a JCB to demolish about 10 huts. Contour trenches were also dug on the land so that saplings could be planted after the upcoming rains.

A Deputy Collector, Tehsildar, Patwari, and a large number of forest department employees were present at the scene. Police force was also deployed to handle any untoward situation.

Congress leader calls action inhumane

Talking to The Mooknayak, state president of the Adivasi Congress, Ramu Tekam, said, “The action taken in Narlay village is extremely unfortunate and inhumane. Suddenly calling those tribal families who have settled and cultivated this land for generations as encroachers and destroying their homes is against justice. If this case is pending in court, the administration should have avoided unilateral action.”

He added, “The most serious thing is the kind of language used by the officer present on the spot. It is not only condemnable but is a direct attack on the dignity of the tribal community. The government should immediately order a fair investigation into the entire matter, take action against the guilty officers, and make concrete arrangements for the rehabilitation and compensation of the affected families.”

The villagers claim they have filed a petition in the High Court regarding this matter, and the case is still pending. Despite this, they allege the administration unilaterally acted and demolished their homes.

They have also accused local representatives of recommending that this land be given to the Forest Department, which has put their livelihoods at risk.

Following these events, tension prevails in the area. While the administration describes it as a legitimate action to remove encroachment from government land, the tribal families see it as a direct attack on their rights and livelihoods.