Villagers pelt stones at police during encroachment removal in Ratlam:Woman officer injured, tear gas shells fired to control crowd

A clash broke out in Palsodi village of Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district on Friday when villagers allegedly pelted stones at a police and administrative team carrying out an anti-encroachment drive. A woman police officer suffered a head injury, while three other police personnel were also hurt. As the situation escalated, police used mild force and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Heavy police deployment was made in the area, and officials said the situation was later brought under control. The injured personnel were taken to hospital by ambulance. Villagers oppose proposed investment zone The dispute is linked to a proposed investment zone spread across nearly 1,700 hectares in Palsodi and nearby villages. Residents have been protesting the project for months, claiming it will affect agricultural land and residential areas and could lead to displacement. According to villagers, their concerns over land acquisition and rehabilitation have not been adequately addressed. Anti-encroachment drive began with heavy deployment Administrative officials reached the site around 11 am with a large police force and earth-moving machinery, including JCBs and bulldozers, to remove alleged encroachments. A large number of villagers gathered and started protesting as the operation began. Officials initially attempted to persuade them, but after talks failed, police detained around 15 to 20 people and proceeded with the drive. During the operation, some protesters allegedly started pelting stones at the police and administrative team, triggering chaos at the site. Police then resorted to tear gas and mild force to restore order. See pictures related to the stone pelting…
More than 100 police personnel deployed The operation was carried out in the presence of City SDM Archi Harit, Tehsildar Rishabh Thakur, RI Vicky Thakur and 10 patwaris. CSP Satyendra Ghanghoriya supervised the police arrangements. Fire brigade teams and ambulances were also stationed at the site for emergencies. Industrial Area police station in-charge Gayatri Soni, DD Nagar police station in-charge Anurag Yadav and Manak Chowk police station in-charge Vikram Singh Chauhan were among the officers present. More than 100 police personnel, along with Vajra vehicles, were deployed. The administration also brought two Poclain machines, two JCBs, five dumpers and trailers for the operation. Similar protest held in April A major protest against the proposed investment zone was also held in April. The agitation received support from the BAP party, Jayas and several tribal organisations. Sailana MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar had joined the protest and staged a dharna with villagers. District Panchayat Vice-President Keshuram Ninama, Congress leader Lakshman Singh Dindor and several local representatives also participated. MLA had threatened legal action During the April protest, MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar described the investment zone project as an attempt to displace tribal families. He said villagers would approach the court if their concerns were ignored. The MLA urged residents to remain united and prepare for a legal battle, saying the fight to protect their land and rights would continue. He had also said the issue would be raised before the Chief Minister. Officials held discussions with villagers During the earlier agitation, Sailana SDM Tarun Jain, Tehsildar Rishabh Thakur, MPRDC officials and police personnel had reached the site to hold talks with villagers and public representatives. Officials listened to objections raised by residents and presented relevant documents. The SDM and Tehsildar even sat on the ground with villagers and the MLA for discussions, but no agreement could be reached. Investment zone planned near Delhi-Mumbai Expressway The proposed investment zone is being developed on around 1,700 hectares near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Ratlam district. Several companies have already begun work in the area. The project is expected to affect agricultural land and residential settlements in three to four villages. While villagers fear displacement and loss of livelihood, the administration maintains that the project is important for industrial development and employment generation in the region. The Palsodi Gram Panchayat had earlier passed objections to the project through a Gram Sabha and submitted them to the administration. Villagers, however, allege that their concerns have not been addressed. Friday’s violence has once again brought the ongoing dispute over the investment zone into focus.