Sehore (MP), Oct 11 (PTI) Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday accused the Madhya Pradesh forest department and other officials of demolishing tribal families’ homes, destroying crops and filling a well with soil in his Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency.
The Opposition Congress used the incident to allege that there was a tussle between former chief minister Chouhan and incumbent CM Mohan Yadav, and that the tribals were bearing the brunt of it.
Chouhan visited Kosmi village in the Budhni assembly constituency, where the alleged action was taken, and expressed strong displeasure after meeting the affected families, a statement issued by his office said.
During his tenure as the CM, the senior BJP leader had represented the Budhni constituency in Sehore district multiple times. Chouhan served as chief minister from November 2005 to December 2018 and again from March 2020 to December 2023.
According to the statement, the forest department and the district administration had attempted similar action a few months ago, but Chouhan had directed them not to demolish the tribal families’ houses.
The latest demolition over alleged encroachment was carried out on Sunday despite the Union Agriculture Minister’s instructions, it said.
Chouhan spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal from the spot, apprised him of the incident and registered his objection, the statement said. He also spoke to state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal and said he would soon take up the matter with CM Mohan Yadav.
He said those responsible for rendering poor families homeless would not be spared.
“New houses will be built for the families whose homes have been demolished. Until permanent arrangements are made for their accommodation, temporary arrangements for their stay and food will be ensured,” he said.
Chouhan questioned the administration’s functioning over the demolition of homes, destruction of crops and filling up of a well. He was also upset that no senior forest department or administrative official was present at the spot.
The Union minister said the action had not only destroyed houses but also affected the families’ livelihoods.
Meanwhile, sharing a video of the demolition, MP Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar wrote on X, “Tribal families are being uprooted amid the tussle between Mohan-Mama (Chouhan).”
He alleged that crops belonging to families from the Barela tribal community were being destroyed and their houses demolished in Kosmi village.
“Due to the infighting within the BJP government, poor tribal families face the threat of being rendered homeless,” he alleged.
Singhar asked why poor families should suffer because of alleged friction within the ruling establishment. PTI LAL NR
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