Chhatarpur: Tension erupted in Dhodan village in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district after tribal families allegedly attacked an administrative team that had arrived to remove encroachments from land acquired for the Ken Betwa Project dam site. The confrontation led to stone pelting, damage to official vehicles and allegations that huts were demolished while families were still inside them.

According to villagers, the administration carried out demolition work without prior notice, even as people remained inside the structures. Some residents claimed that several individuals sustained injuries during the operation.

However, district authorities denied reports of injuries. Collector Parth Jaiswal and Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha stated that neither villagers nor officials were hurt during the incident.

Administration team faces stone pelting

Officials said the administration, accompanied by police personnel, reached the village on Wednesday to remove encroachments from government land and demolish houses belonging to people who had already accepted compensation and relocated elsewhere.

Authorities said the exercise was aimed at convincing families who had received compensation to vacate the area voluntarily, while vacant homes were to be removed as part of the clearance process.

During the demolition of one such vacant house, villagers allegedly became agitated and began pelting stones at the administration team. Officials and police personnel reportedly retreated from the spot to protect themselves as the situation escalated.

According to the administration, around six vehicles were damaged in the violence, including the Additional Superintendent of Police’s vehicle, the Tehsildar’s vehicle and a JCB machine. Authorities said cases would be registered over the destruction of government property and further action would follow based on the investigation.

Villagers allege family was trapped inside demolished house

Residents of the village alleged that the administration started demolishing a house while a family, including children, was still inside.

According to local claims, debris from the structure collapsed onto the family, leaving at least one person bleeding. Videos circulating from the site show a couple and their children lying amid the rubble of a damaged house.

Villagers alleged that the people seen in the footage were injured and covered in blood. However, the administration disputed this claim, saying the substance visible on them was paint rather than blood.

Officials maintained that the individuals were made to lie down inside the demolished structure and had paint poured over them. Despite this, videos from the site have intensified public attention, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the demolition.

Videos from site spread online

Footage reportedly recorded after the demolition shows local residents pulling family members out from beneath the debris. Two children can also be seen in the video, with one appearing unconscious.

In the visuals, a man believed to be the head of the family is heard pleading for help, saying they were tribal people and asking officials to save them.

As news spread that members of the family had allegedly been injured, more villagers gathered at the site and began protesting against the administrative action. Stone pelting followed soon after, forcing officials to leave the area.

Political reaction over displacement concerns

The incident has triggered a political response, with Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari alleging that thousands of tribal families are being displaced in the name of the Ken Betwa Project without receiving proper compensation.

He also said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi would soon meet families affected by the project.