A violent clash over an alleged land dispute in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with former Chhindwara MP Nakul Nath accusing the administration of operating under political pressure and demanding a high-level inquiry. At least four persons were injured in the incident, which occurred on Thursday in Prahlad village under Kundipura police station limits and allegedly involved members of a Scheduled Caste family.

What Happened in Prahlad Village

The clash, which reportedly broke out between members of a Scheduled Caste family and local residents, left four people injured, all of whom were admitted to the district hospital. The incident quickly spread beyond the village, with protests erupting in Chhindwara town on Friday as a large number of tribal youths assembled near the Kotwali Police Station and the Buddha Dharma Tekri police outpost. Tribal leader Pravin Dhurve demanded the arrest of all accused persons within 24 hours, naming several individuals he alleged were directly involved.

Nakul Nath Demands High-Level Probe

Nakul Nath, son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, described the assault on the Scheduled Caste family as 'deeply condemnable and alarming.' He alleged that police and district administration appeared to be functioning in a one-sided manner under pressure from influential political figures.

'The matter raises serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable communities. Instead of ensuring impartial justice, efforts seem to be aimed at silencing the voices of the victims,' Nath said. He urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the state Home Minister, and the Director General of Police (DGP) to order a fair investigation, take strict action against those found guilty, and provide protection to the affected tribal and Dalit families.

BJP MP Vivek Bunty Sahu Pushes Back

Sitting Chhindwara MP Vivek 'Bunty' Sahu of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) arrived at the Kotwali Police Station late on Thursday night and released a video demanding action against individuals making allegations against him on social media. Sahu maintained that his name was being linked to the dispute without evidence and called for a neutral inquiry.

'The truth should come out through an impartial inquiry. Action should be taken against anyone found spreading false allegations,' Sahu said. He subsequently visited the hospital to meet those injured in the clash.

Police Response and Investigation

Police said they were examining the sequence of events, video evidence, and complaints filed by rival groups. 'An investigation is underway and statements from both sides are being recorded. People involved in the incident are being identified. Further action will be initiated based on the outcome of the investigation,' a police official said. The competing claims from both sides have kept tensions high across the district.

Broader Context

This comes amid recurring concerns in Madhya Pradesh over the safety of Scheduled Caste and tribal communities in land-related disputes. Chhindwara, historically a Congress stronghold and the constituency of the Nath family, has been a politically sensitive district since the 2023 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections saw the BJP consolidate its hold across the state. The incident has now drawn in both sitting and former parliamentary representatives, raising the political stakes ahead of any administrative action.