Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), March 19 (NationPress) - The local administration in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, in collaboration with NTPC officials, enacted the demolition of the residence belonging to Congress leader and former minister Yogendra Sao in the Barkagaon locality. This action was taken on the grounds of alleged encroachment on land designated for mining operations.

The structure, situated at Jordag Jhumri Tand across from the Chatti Bariatu coal mines, was dismantled using bulldozers under the oversight of magistrates, with a significant police presence to ensure public order.

According to officials, the property in question had already been acquired for coal mining and the removal of the house was deemed essential for uninterrupted mining activities.

Authorities indicated that multiple notifications had been issued to the concerned party, instructing them to vacate the premises and address the encroachment issue. The demolition proceeded only after these notices went unheeded.

Officials characterized the operation as legally sound and part of the ongoing efforts to support seamless mining operations in the area.

In response, the demolition incited considerable protests from Sao’s daughter, Amba Prasad, a former Congress MLA from Barkagaon, who arrived at the scene shortly after learning about the operation.

Prasad accused the administration of executing the demolition without any compensation and despite the matter being under judicial review. She argued that proper procedures were not followed and criticized the authorities for acting with undue haste.

Furthermore, Prasad raised concerns that her mother, former MLA Nirmala Devi, was inside the house at the time of the demolition, questioning the safety and conduct of the operation.

Labeling the action a breach of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, Prasad announced that the family intends to pursue legal challenges against the demolition.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions between Sao and NTPC officials, with the environment becoming increasingly fraught following allegations of attacks on company personnel and vehicles.

In light of these circumstances, the administration conducted the demolition with stringent security measures in place to avert any potential disturbances. Officials reported that the operation concluded without significant conflict.

Although normalcy has returned to the area post-demolition, this event has ignited political reactions, and the situation is expected to escalate further in the days ahead.