Shivraj Singh Chouhan sits on dharna after houses demolished in Budhni village

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on a dharna in Kosmi village of the Budhni assembly area after the forest department and administration demolished homes belonging to poor families.

Official Action

Chouhan expressed deep anger over the action, stating that standing maize and tuar crops were destroyed and a drinking water well was filled with mud. He noted that the affected families had lived on the land for years and had voted for the BJP in both the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. During his site visit, no senior forest or district officials were present, prompting him to call Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Srivastava and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal to register his strong objections. Chouhan stated that he would raise the matter directly with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and demanded action against the forest staff involved.

Relief Measures

Chouhan announced that new permanent houses will be built for all the families whose homes were destroyed. Temporary arrangements for their food and lodging will also be provided until permanent housing is ready.

Government Stance

The government stated that the Sehore Forest Development Corporation had carried out plantation work in forest compartment 426 in 2021. Ten tribal families from Singhpur allegedly destroyed the plantation to start farming and built huts in the area. Authorities maintained that forest crime cases were registered against them and eviction notices were served before the removal of the unauthorized huts.

Context

Land disputes involving forest land and tribal habitations often lead to tensions between local administration and residents over traditional rights and conservation laws. Political figures frequently intervene in such local administrative actions when constituents face displacement.