Revenue Team Attacked During Encroachment Removal in Dhar Village
A revenue department team conducting an encroachment removal operation in Sirsodiya village, Dhar district, was met with violent resistance on Saturday morning. Villagers pelted stones at the officials, injuring the Station House Officer and a woman constable, and causing significant damage to official vehicles.
Injuries and Damage Sustained
During the attack, Dhamnod TI Praveen Thakre twisted his ankle and sustained other injuries, necessitating his referral to Indore for medical treatment. The windscreen of the Tehsildar's vehicle was completely shattered by the stone pelting, highlighting the intensity of the assault on the government team.
Escalation and Police Response
Following the incident, tensions escalated rapidly, prompting authorities to rush additional police force from nearby stations to the village to restore order. Manawar SDM also arrived at the scene to oversee the situation and ensure control was maintained over the volatile environment.
Background of the Encroachment Case
The joint team of approximately 25 members, including Tehsildar Kunal Awasia, Naib Tehsildar Krishna Patel, Dhamnod SDOP Monika Singh, TI Praveen Thakre, and Patwari Rahul Thakur, arrived at Sirsodiya village at 10 am. Their mission was to act against a house allegedly constructed on government land, following a series of legal proceedings.
Naib Tehsildar Krishna Patel explained that the action was carried out in strict compliance with legal orders. The land in question, belonging to Anil, Anita, Dharmendra, and Pallavi, had been demarcated earlier, revealing encroachments by other individuals. After the demarcation, the landowners filed a petition under Section 250 in the revenue court, seeking removal of the encroachment.
Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings
The revenue court ruled in favor of Anil, Anita, and Pallavi, ordering the removal of the encroachment. The occupants challenged this decision in a civil court, but their objection was rejected. The court affirmed that the occupants had no legal claim over the land, paving the way for the revenue department to enforce the removal order.
As the team began the process to dismantle the structure, villagers initiated the stone pelting, forcing the officials to halt the operation temporarily. This incident underscores the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing court orders related to land disputes in rural areas.
