Nakti village, located in the Dharsiwa tehsil near Raipur, is witnessing escalating protests as residents face eviction notices to make way for a proposed 'MLA colony.' The situation has sparked outrage and drawn support from political figures, highlighting the plight of those who claim ancestral rights to the land.
The controversy began when 85 families, comprising approximately 350 villagers, received orders to vacate their homes. These orders, issued on April 11, 2025, cite Section 248 of the Land Revenue Code of 1959, demanding the removal of individuals residing on government land. The villagers were instructed to leave voluntarily by May 21, 2025, with a warning of forceful removal by authorities if they failed to comply. The eviction encompasses approximately 56 acres of land in Nakti, also known as Samman Nagar, where the government intends to construct the MLA colony and a housing board project.
The villagers have voiced strong opposition, asserting that they have resided on the land for generations, and the area is densely populated. They argue that the eviction will render hundreds of families homeless and have passed a resolution in the Gram Sabha demanding an immediate halt to the project. Sahu, a 32-year-old resident, stated that he was born in a house built on the same land and has lived there with his family since birth. Another resident, Soni Yadav, a 36-year-old mother of three who lives in a home constructed under the Awas Yojana, declared that they are ready to sacrifice their lives but will not give up their ancestral land.
The situation has garnered attention from political circles. Former Congress MP Chhaya Verma and former MLA Anita Sharma have visited Nakti village to express solidarity with the protesting residents. Newly-elected Sarpanch of Nakti village panchayat, Bihari Yadav, said that the village has a population of around 2,500, and the eviction notice to 85 families has triggered the protest.
Adding to the villagers' grievances, they point out that the government has recently invested in infrastructure in the locality, including electricity lines and tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission. They question the rationale behind these investments if the residents were slated for eviction.
