Bhajanpur villagers’ land was taken by Bihar government at the rate of Rs 300 per kattha
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Detached and hopeless he is sitting in his small courtyard in Bhajanpur village. Once among big landlords of the area, Majeedur Rahman, in early 70s, now has not money to secure court decree for proper compensation. His 17-bigha plot was taken by Bihar government in 1984-85. He was given meager compensation at Rs 300 per kattha (or Rs 15000 per acre). He filed a case in court for proper compensation. About a quarter century passed, he is still waiting for justice.
Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) acquired 185 acre and 87decimal land from 114 villagers of Bhajanpur in Forbesganj block of Araria district at very cheap rate. BIADA seized the land in 1984-85 and began giving payment to the villagers in 1990 at the rate of Rs 300 per kattha (that is Rs 15000 per acre).
“We were not taking payment as it was very low rate. BIADA convinced us that they can take the payment with objection and file case for more compensation. They told us that without taking the payment we cannot make a case,” recalls Majeedur Rahman who was among three big land owners among the 114 people whose land were taken. Majeed’s 17 bigha land was taken while 40 bigha of Kusum Lal Yadav and 44 bigha of Murlidhar Agarwal were acquired by BIADA.
Many of 114 people filed case in court for proper compensation, some pursued and won and many gave up in midway. Those who won the case, including Agarwal, Yadav and one Ghaus Mohammed of the same village, got additional Rs 90-95 thousand per acre. Majeed’s case is still pending in Purnia court.
Mult-billion-rupee Auro Sundaram coming on the land of Bhajanpur villagers who were paid at the rate of Rs 300 per kattha
“I filed case in Araria court. The case was transferred to Purnia court. I submitted all costly documents when the court demanded. Witnesses have also been examined. At last stage they (court people) demanded money for decree. I declined. I am still waiting for justice,” says Majeed.
It is said that of the 185 acres of land, BIADA gave about 37 acres to Auro Sundaram International Pvt. Ltd. in 2010. The company whose owners include some BJP leaders began construction work on the plot. The plot had an old road used by the villagers since 1958. On June 3, 2011, the company blocked the road. When the villagers came out demanding restoration of their road they were shot and killed mercilessly. A six-month-old infant, a pregnant woman and two young boys of about 20 years were killed and many others were wounded.
Their land was taken cheaply by state in 1985. Their lives were taken very cheaply again by the state in 2011. Will they get justice ever?