Dhamtari, September 23 (HS). 15 people have illegally occupied 13 acres of government land located in village Kharpathra of forest area. A crowd of villagers reached the Collectorate with a complaint regarding this and demanded immediate removal of the occupation.
A crowd of villagers including Gram Samiti President of village Kharpathra, Ram Adhar, Gram Patel Sohan Lal Sahu, Shankar Lal Gangesh, Hriday Lal, Birendra Kumar Sahu, Daman Lal, Hiralal Sahu, Yavendra Kumar Sahu, Khilendra Sen, Ramlal, Thakur Ram Sahu etc. reached the Collectorate office on September 23. In the memorandum submitted, the villagers have alleged that illegal occupation of the village is being done at a rapid pace.
13 acres of land has been encroached, while this place is forest land for public use. Plantation and playground are also proposed here. There is a temple, Gauthan, Anganwadi and school building. Illegal encroachment is going on here for the last 10 years, which has now increased to 13 acres. The villagers said that today instead of removing illegal encroachment, the Gram Panchayat is getting the road constructed here. Objection was also made before the CEO Janpad Nagari on this, but the result was zero. The villagers told that two Panchayat representatives are also included among those who have encroached illegally. After listening to the complaint of the villagers, the responsible officer has assured appropriate action. The villagers have warned of agitation if their demands are not met.