BJP MLA Stages 10-Hour Protest Over Seized Tractor in Satna

BJP MLA from Chitrakoot Surendra Singh Gaharwar staged a nearly 10-hour protest in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district on Monday, demanding the release of a tractor seized by the Forest Department from an Adivasi farmer.

The protest began around 2 pm and continued until nearly midnight. Satna Collector Dr Satish Kumar S and Superintendent of Police Hansraj Singh reached the spot and tried to persuade the MLA to end the protest, but he refused to leave.

The protest ended after Gaharwar received a call from the Chief Minister’s House and spoke to officials. Several villagers had also joined the MLA during the demonstration.

Why was the tractor seized?

According to the Forest Department, the tractor was seized by the Majhgawan Forest Department after it was allegedly being used for ploughing forest land in the Chunhahar forest area of Karariya Beat.

Majhgawan Ranger Ranjan Singh Parihar said forest officials had received information about alleged illegal ploughing and reached the site to take action. A case was registered after the farmer allegedly failed to produce documents related to the land.

The tractor, which reportedly did not have a registration number, was also seized as part of the action.

MLA demands release of tractor

The farmer later approached Gaharwar for help. The MLA went to the Forest Department’s range office and demanded the tractor’s release. When officials said it could not be released immediately, he began the dharna.

The Forest Department maintained that the seizure was carried out according to the rules and that the tractor could be released only after completion of the required legal process.

Chitrakoot SDO Abhishek Tiwari also said the tractor could not be released until the prescribed legal procedure was completed. During the protest, the district administration assured Gaharwar that the matter would be examined and appropriate legal action would be taken. Reports also said the BJP organisation has summoned the MLA to Bhopal following the incident.