Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has protested the demolition of poor families' homes in Kosmi village, in the Budhni assembly area of Madhya Pradesh.
Chouhan visited the site after learning about the incident and met families whose houses had been removed. He also saw damage to their farmland and heard their accounts of the action.
The affected families said their standing maize and pigeon pea crops were destroyed. A well used for irrigation and drinking water was also filled with soil, according to the account of the incident.
Calls to senior officials
No senior officer from the Forest Department or district administration was present during Chouhan's inspection, according to the report. The absence prompted him to express strong displeasure over the administration's handling of the matter.
From the site, Chouhan called Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Varnwal and conveyed details of the situation. He also contacted BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal to brief him about the affected families and the demolition.
Chouhan said he would speak personally with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and seek strict action against those responsible. His criticism was directed at the administrative process that, he said, had left poor families without homes and damaged their crops and water source.
Promise of housing and immediate support
Chouhan assured the families that new permanent houses would be built for those whose homes had been demolished. He also said temporary arrangements for shelter, food and drinking water would be made until a permanent living arrangement was available.
The assurance came during his interaction with families at the site. The account does not provide details about the proposed housing arrangements, the officials responsible for implementing them or the timeline for their completion.
Chouhan questions administrative action
Speaking after meeting the affected residents, Chouhan described the action as unjust and deeply troubling. He said the demolition had harmed families who had lived on the land for years and claimed he had previously requested that they not be harassed because of their long-standing possession.
Chouhan also raised a political concern. He said the affected residents had supported the BJP in parliamentary and assembly elections and alleged that the conduct of some officials could damage the party's reputation and create difficulties for the chief minister.
He said he would place before the chief minister the families' distress, the damage to their fields and the destruction of their homes. The report presents these statements as Chouhan's claims and does not include a response from the Forest Department, the district administration or other officials involved in the action.
Conclusion
The Kosmi demolition has triggered a political response from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has sought official action and promised permanent homes and immediate assistance for the affected families. Further administrative steps were not specified in the available account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did the demolitions take place?
The demolitions took place in Kosmi village in the Budhni assembly area of Madhya Pradesh.
Q. Who visited the affected families?
Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the site and met the affected families.
Q. Which officials did Chouhan contact?
He contacted Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Varnwal and BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal.
Q. What damage was reported?
The account says homes were demolished, maize and pigeon pea crops were destroyed, and a well used for irrigation and drinking water was filled with soil.
Q. What assistance did Chouhan promise?
He promised permanent homes for the affected families and temporary arrangements for shelter, food and drinking water until those homes were available.
Q. Did the administration respond in the available account?
No response from the Forest Department, district administration or other officials involved in the action was included.
