Huts of tribals at four villages of Nagri block in Dhamtari district were burnt during anti-encroachment drive, Congress leaders alleged here on Thursday.
A delegation comprising State Forest Minister, Mahesh Gagda, Chhattisgarh Congress Chief Bhupesh Baghel, leader of Congress legislature Party (ClP) TS Singhdeo along with others had reached Kusum Bharri and Batan Harra villages in Dhamtari.
Notably, Baghel had raised the issue of alleged –‘tyranny and injustice’ at the hands of district administration while vacating the villages- during the recently concluded Monsoon session of State legislative Assembly.
The Forest Minister in his reply while refusing the charges had assured the Chhattisgarh Assembly that appropriate action was taken by the administration and he would personally take the Congress leaders to the villages for taking stock of the ground situation.
State Congress Chief Bhupesh Baghel while talking to The Pioneer said that it was clear that the huts were burnt.
He informed that people in those villages were living there since 1978.
“Former Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar who was the district collector in 1987 had assured the villagers in written that he would try to solve their problem,” Baghel informed.
Meanwhile, Congress legislature Party leader TS Singhdeo said that there is video record which shows that the huts are being burnt in presence of forest guards, members of ‘Van Adhikar Samiti’ and police personnel.
“It was clearly seen on the spot that farming was done and about 4-5 huts were burnt,” Singhdeo said while adding that Congress party is with the villagers.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda could not be reached for his comments on the issue.