Tightening noose on illegal migrators, police have evicted more than 60 Pardhi families from different villages in Gosalpur area. Police have found huge cache of lethal arms and equipments used in poaching while illegal liquor kilns were also found and more than 150 litres country liquor was destroyed. Around half a dozen villages near Gosalpur, located about 30-kilometers from Jabalpur, were troubled with the presence of Pardhi families who had set up temporary settlements. These individuals were not only spreading fear among the villagers but were also allegedly involved in illegal activities. Additional SP (Rural), Suryakant Sharma informed that annoyed with the increasing criminal activities in the area, local residents informed the police and administration. Following two days of intense action, over 60 Pardhi families were evicted from the villages.

 

When the police arrived to remove them, the settlers resisted and misbehaved. However, police teams from four different stations intervened and forcefully removed them from the villages. Sudden increases in theft and illegal activities were reported in villages like Kevlari, Ranitlal, Gandhigram and Barnu near Gosalpur and Sihora. Cases of villagers being assaulted and robbed had also reported. Taking a serious note on the situation, SDOP Parul Sharma along with additional police force from Sihora, Khitola, Gosalpur, Majholi and the police headquarters reached the spot and evacuated the temporary residential arrangements.

 

When the Gosalpur police team reached the spot, most of the men had already fled, leaving only women and children behind. SDOP tried to reason with them, explaining that encroaching on village land was illegal. During police questioning, the women claimed that they could not leave until their husbands returned. However, when they continued to resist, authorities took stricter action and forcefully removed over 60 families on Sunday and Monday. ASP Suryakant Sharma added that the Pardhi groups operate strategically. They first send one or two families into a village and gradually, more people arrive. Eventually, they attempt to encroach land illegally.