Hazaribagh (IANS): The Hazaribagh district administration, in coordination with NTPC authorities, demolished the residence of Congress leader and former minister Yogendra Sao in Barkagaon on Thursday, citing encroachment on land acquired for mining.
Officials used bulldozers to raze the house at Jordag Jhumri Tand, opposite the Chatti Bariatu coal mines, in the presence of magistrates. The administration deployed heavy police force to maintain law and order during the operation.
Authorities stated that the land had already been acquired and earmarked for coal mining. They said removing the structure was essential to ensure smooth and uninterrupted mining activities.
Officials also said they had issued multiple notices to vacate the land and remove the alleged encroachment. They carried out the demolition after the occupants failed to comply with these directives.
The action triggered strong protests from Amba Prasad, former Congress MLA from Barkagaon and daughter of Yogendra Sao. She reached the spot soon after receiving information about the demolition.
Prasad alleged that the administration demolished the house without providing compensation, despite the matter being sub judice. She accused officials of bypassing due process and acting in haste.
She further claimed that her mother, former MLA Nirmala Devi, was inside the house when the demolition began, raising serious concerns over safety and the manner of execution.
Calling the move a violation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, Prasad said the family would challenge the demolition legally.
The demolition comes amid rising tensions between Sao and NTPC authorities, following recent incidents involving alleged attacks on company staff and vehicles.
The administration conducted the operation under tight security to prevent any untoward incidents and completed it without major clashes.
Although the situation has returned to normal, the incident has triggered political reactions and is likely to escalate further in the coming days.
