By Admin 
In Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday (7 March) morning, villagers attacked a joint team of administrative and police which had gone to remove encroachment. Dhamnod police station in-charge (TI) and a woman policeman have been injured in this incident that took place in Sirsodia village, Gujari of Dhamnod police station area. The glasses of the Tehsildar’s official vehicle were also shattered due to heavy stone pelting by the villagers. The matter has become more heated as the disputed land is linked to the local BJP MLA.
On Saturday (7 March) at around 10 am, the team of Revenue Department and Police had reached Sirsodia village on the orders of the court to remove the encroachment of a person named Santosh. As soon as the administrative team started action, the villagers protested vehemently and pelted stones. Dhamnod police station in-charge Praveen Thackeray and a woman policeman were seriously injured in the attack, who were immediately sent to Dhamnod hospital for treatment. After the incident, traffic on the highway was also disrupted for some time. Additional police forces have been deployed from nearby police stations to handle the situation.
70 years old possession
The issue of local politics and influence is also coming to light behind this entire controversy:
- Occupant’s claim: Encroacher Santosh says that his family has been living on this land for 70-80 years and no eviction action has ever been taken before. He alleged that about one and a half years ago, regional BJP MLA Kalu Singh Thakur had purchased this land in the name of his daughter-in-law Pallavi Thakur, after which pressure is being created to evict him.
- Viral video of MLA: Earlier too, BJP MLA Kalu Singh Thakur had a dispute with some women regarding the road on the same land. During that time, a video of the MLA allegedly abusing women had gone viral on social media.
Many government vehicles damaged
ASP Vijay Dawar and Manawar SDM Pramod Singh Gurjar reached the spot and took stock of the situation. ASP said that government vehicles were damaged in stone pelting by unknown miscreants. Those who pelted stones will be identified and strict legal action will be taken.
Dhamnod Tehsildar Krishna Patel clarified that the court’s decision was in favor of the land owner. However, in view of the upcoming festival, the administration has given 2 to 3 days time to the encroaching family to vacate the place. At present the situation in the village remains peaceful but tense.