Bhopal, June 29 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav today ordered the transfer of a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sehore district, after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met the CM with a group of tribals who complained that the Forest Department demolished their hutments on June 23, despite the ongoing monsoon season.
The demolition of around 50 kutcha houses and huts inhabited by tribals was carried out by bulldozers and JCB machines in the Khivni Forest Sanctuary in Dewas district, citing encroachment in the forest sanctuary area.
The action was taken amidst the ongoing rainy season, rendering the tribals and their kids homeless.
The area comes under the jurisdiction of the Sehore Forest Division.
After hearing the plea of the tribals today, CM Dr Yadav ordered the transfer of Sehore DFO Magan Singh Dabar. He has been transferred to Bhopal and in his place, Archana Patel has been appointed as the new DFO of Sehore.
Following the action, the CM assured, “The Forest Department has been instructed not to take any such action during the monsoon season.”
“The double-engine government of PM Modi is for the benefit of the poor. The welfare and respect of tribal community is our commitment,” the CM maintained.
Soon after the demolition, MP State Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar had alleged that the action taken during monsoon was against the rules.
Singhar had also questioned whether Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is the Lok Sabha Member from the area, would do anything to help the poor tribals, who have now become homeless.
