Big News from Chhattisgarh: A Living Person Declared Dead

Udaipur/Ambikapur: A sensational attempt to stir controversy with a baseless report created by Bhanupratap Singh, Chairman of the Scheduled Tribes Commission, was debunked when it was confirmed that Dilebhandu Majhwar from Ghatbarra was not dead, but very much alive. Bhanupratap Singh, a Congress activist, had claimed that a deceased Dilebhandu had signed the village meeting proposal for the Parsakhadan coal mine. However, after an investigation by state authorities and media outlets, it was confirmed that Dilebhandu Majhwar was alive. On Monday, the so-called "dead" man was taken to the Udaipur tehsil office, where it was verified that the signatures on the proposal for the village meeting did indeed belong to him, and he was alive.

It is noteworthy that certain elements from Raipur had been spreading false information, attempting to discredit the village meeting for the Parsakhadan coal mine in Surguja district by labeling it a fake gathering. These false claims were amplified by unknown sources on social media, attempting to tarnish the reputation of Chhattisgarh’s mining region. In reality, the Commission had recently dismissed allegations of fake village meetings after thorough investigation. To date, those opposing the development of the Parsakhadan coal mine have been unable to prove their claims in any court of law. However, Bhanupratap Singh, without proper verification, had released a report based on just forty applications, which the Commission's Secretary did not approve. 

The local population around the Parsakhadan mine area is about 10,000, and a so-called activist from Raipur had shared only three pages of a four-page report on social media, deliberately omitting the fact that the Secretary had not signed it. These misleading claims have now been proven false.

**Dilebhandu Majhwar's Statement**

Dilebhandu Majhwar, 28, the son of Agnuram Majhwar, spoke to the media, saying, “I am a resident of Agaraiapara in Ghatbarra village. My Aadhar card number is 9605 27****. Through your platform, I have come to know that some people are spreading false news about my death, which I strongly deny. I have also contacted my village secretary, Mr. Gopal Ram Yadav, who has prepared a report with signatures to confirm my living status. I have submitted a copy of this to the District Collector and the SDM. I signed the attendance register for the village meeting on September 10 for the Parsakhadan coal block. The false claim of my death is part of a deliberate conspiracy against me, and it is causing me significant distress." He thanked the media for uncovering the truth and bringing it to light.

**Gopal Ram Yadav’s Statement**

In response, Gopal Ram Yadav, the village secretary, confirmed, “On the day the village meeting was held, I was present and saw all the villagers signing. Dilebhandu’s name was also on the list. I was informed through media that some people claimed he was dead, but this is completely false. I am prepared to present a report of his living status, which I will submit through the District Collector in court."

**Job Creation with the Parsakhadan Coal Mine Project**

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government’s power production corporation is preparing to operationalize the Parsakhadan coal mine, which is expected to create 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in the tribal district. After the exposure of the false campaigns fueled by personal interests, it remains to be seen how Dilebhandu’s fight for his identity unfolds and what legal actions will be taken against those spreading fake news.