RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Sept.3: The nature of land verification appears to be a herculean task for the Palamu district administration as even after four days of the incident of forced displacement of 42 Mahadalit families from Murmumatu under Pandu block of the district, the administration failed to conclude as to who owns the said land.
Circle officer of Pandu Rahul Oraon confirmed the situation saying ‘bhumi vivad suljhana itna aasan nahi, Jaanch jari hai (settling the land dispute is not easy. Probe continues)’. His reply came when he was contacted for his comment on the nature of land and its owner.
A locality resident said the delay in identifying the nature of land and its owner suggests that the district administration either does not have an efficient hand to go through khatiyan and ascertain ownership or it has hand in gloves with those who displaced Mahadalits.
“This is a serious problem. This suggests if some muscle men grab your land you will have no option but to run from pillar to post to claim your right as the administration is not efficient enough to ascertain the right after verification of documents. It is said justice is delayed justice is denied. The district administration is expected to do quick verification while it is still groping in the dark and victims are struggling for their existence in a police station campus in a welfare state,” the locality resident said.
Amid confusion over the nature of land, points in favour of claim of mahadalit and Muslim came to the knowledge of Lagatar24.com.
A locality resident said that land was in the possession of Mahadalit for the last 179 years and 40 years ago during a survey they were given right over the land while another contradicted saying on March 9, 1943 one Doman Mian had purchased the land from Babu Taraknath Sarkar. One of Mian’s three sons, Kasim Mian, donated the 25 decimal of the land to Madarasa Manjre Islam on May 6, 1987. Contrary to villager’s view, sources at the circle office said that nature of land is Gair Mazarua and there is no question of any other having their right on the land as it is located near hillocks.
Ironically amid claim and counter claim, the district administration has failed to come out with any concrete reply and continues to grope in dark even after five days of the incident when Mahadalits are struggling for their existence at the police station and three from the Muslim community have been lodged in jail while several others are facing arresting threat in the matter.
