Raipur village fights eviction for ‘MLA colony'
The April 17 order, issued by the Tehsildar Court, identifies the houses of 85 families - 77, according to the government - as unauthorised structures slated for removal to clear land allegedly earmarked for the State Housing Board and a proposed residential colony for MLAs. Many of the affected residents claim to have lived on the land for decades, with some homes constructed as recently as last year under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Grameen).
The disputed parcel spans over 15 hectares and is situated less than five km from the Raipur airport, close to the developing administrative hub of Nava Raipur, where the Chief Minister's residence and State Assembly are being shifted. This proximity makes it a potentially high-value real estate site.
While official records state that the land falls under a single Khasra number (460) classified as government-owned, villagers contest this assertion. They point to a resolution passed by the gram sabha opposing the transfer of the land to the Housing Board. Revenue department records label the Khasra as Shamlat Charagan - or communal grazing land - with individual names such as Jhadu, Badku, Kesarbai, and six others listed as owners, complicating the issue of title and ownership.
Kamla Sahu, a resident, claims that those currently occupying the land are descendants of the original donors. Her son, Ajash Yadav, says their house was constructed with government assistance under the PMAY scheme. He notes that such approvals require involvement from the local sarpanch and panchayat secretary. Village sarpanch Bihari Yadav has publicly supported the claims of the affected families.
Commenting on the issue, Durg-based revenue law expert Bheesham Patel said, 'The term Shamlat itself questions the government's assertion, as it implies collective ownership.' Former BJP MLA from the area, Devji Bhai Patel, has also stated that residents have been living on the land since the early 2000s.
Lathis versus bulldozers
According to the notice, residents were to vacate their homes by May 28. Villagers now fear that demolition could begin at any moment.
When The Hindu visited the area on Tuesday, a group - mainly women - had assembled outside the local community hall under a banner reading Jabar Bhuiya Bachav Aandolan (Save the Land Movement, in Chhattisgarhi).
Rani Sahu, 30, said, 'I have been living in this house since I got married 12 years ago. My husband's family has been here for over three decades. The monsoon is near, and we've been offered no alternative accommodation. Where will we go with our children? If the bulldozers come, we will drive them away with our lathis,' she said, holding up a wooden stick.
Raipur Collector Gaurav Singh said that the residents are occupying government land and that notices have been served over the past two years without any response. 'We had given them notices, and even now they can approach the concerned SDM court with explanations as to why they did not vacate earlier,' he said.
While the Collector did not confirm whether the land would be used for an MLA colony, another government official indicated that the site 'might be needed for any upcoming project.'
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