Hapur. A case of illegal occupation of agricultural land belonging to seven Dalit families by powerful people has come to light in Madhapur Maujpur village, within the Simbhaoli police station area of the district. The affected families allege that they are being prevented from accessing their fields and are being threatened with death. Meanwhile, the families are angry over the lack of concrete action at the administrative level to free the land from encroachment.
Ceiling leases were granted in 1972
According to victim Gyan Chand, in 1972, the government allotted leases of ceiling land to seven members, including his family, for their livelihood. Since then, all the families have been cultivating these lands to support their families. He says that this land is their sole source of livelihood.
Allegations of illegal occupation by a powerful man
The families allege that after the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state, Kaluram Tyagi, a local strongman, illegally occupied these leases. It is alleged that Kaluram Tyagi, in collusion with revenue officials, filed a lawsuit in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, to have the leases cancelled.
Won the case in the ADM Court
The affected families say they fought a legal battle and won the case in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, on May 31, 2025. Despite the court order, they have not been given back possession of the land. The families allege that even after losing the case, the powerful party is threatening to kill them if they enter the fields.
Forced to run around officials
The Dalit families say they have been making frequent rounds of the SDM Sadar and the Simbhaoli police station to free their land from encroachment, but no concrete solution has been found. They allege that they are unable to get justice due to administrative apathy at the local level.
Police said the matter is revenue-related.
Simbhaoli police station in-charge Suresh Kumar stated that no one can be given possession of land without the presence of a revenue department team. He explained that the matter is revenue-related and action will be taken as per the rules.
Meanwhile, the state government has been making public claims that Dalits’ land will not be illegally occupied. In such a situation, this case in Madhapur Maujpur raises questions about administrative claims. Currently, the affected families are looking to the authorities for justice and the hope of getting their land back.
Pitam Singh | Buxar (Garhmukteshwar), Hapur
Courtesy: Hindi News