Is the System Failing? Government Apathy Enables Re-Encroachment of State Land
- Despite an initial crackdown and the successful retrieval of 2000 kanals of state land by then-Tehsildar Dr. Rohit Sharma in 2022, much of that land has been re-encroached due to a lack of government action to secure and utilize it.
- This recurring issue points to a systemic problem within Bahu Tehsil, where a possible nexus between land grabbers and revenue officials allows for repeated encroachment, even on previously retrieved land, undermining government efforts and raising suspicions of corruption and complicity within the department.
- The re-encroachment not only threatens valuable state assets but also endangers ordinary citizens who risk being defrauded through illegal land sales facilitated by corrupt officials and land grabbers using forged documents, leaving innocent buyers vulnerable to legal complications and financial losses.
- The government’s inaction in securing the retrieved land and addressing the alleged corruption within the Revenue Department erodes public trust and raises questions about their commitment to protecting state land and upholding the rule of law, especially in light of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent warnings to corrupt officials. This inaction raises concerns about whether the government’s anti-corruption stance is merely symbolic or a genuine commitment to reform.
jj correspondent
Jammu, November 08: A disturbing cycle of land retrieval and re-encroachment is playing out in Jammu’s Bahu Tehsil, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of government efforts to protect state land and the possible complicity of revenue officials.
In 2022, then-Tehsildar Bahu, Mr. Sharma, led a determined campaign to reclaim encroached state land, successfully retrieving approximately 2000 kanals. This included a significant 55-kanal parcel in Sunjwan, valued at approximately ?44 crore (?80 lakh per kanal), and another 235 kanals in the same village. This operation followed an earlier successful retrieval of 1300 kanals of state land in Sunjwan and Chowadhi. These efforts were lauded as a major victory against powerful land grabbers, often operating under the guise of property dealers, businessmen, or influential citizens. The operations were conducted under the direction of then-Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, IAS, and then-Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Anshul Garg and Avni Lavasa, IAS.
However, the administration’s failure to secure or utilize the retrieved land has created a new crisis. Sources reveal that a significant portion of this land has once again fallen prey to encroachers, raising suspicions of a deliberate lack of action and a possible nexus between land grabbers and revenue officials.
“It’s a travesty that Dr. Sharma’s hard work has been undone so easily,” said a concerned resident. “The government needs to take responsibility for securing retrieved land and preventing re-encroachment.”
The situation is further complicated by allegations that some revenue officials are colluding with land grabbers to sell the illegally acquired land to unsuspecting civilians, creating a new set of victims who face potential legal battles in the future.
A Pattern of Negligence and Complicity?
This is not an isolated incident in Bahu Tehsil. There have been multiple instances where attempts to re-encroach retrieved land were thwarted by vigilant revenue officials under Dr. Rohit Sharma’s leadership. In one instance, acting on information received from Patwari Halqa Chowadhi, swift action by the Naib Tehsildar Bahu and police authorities stopped construction work on encroached land near a petrol pump in Chowadhi. Two individuals were arrested, and construction equipment was seized. An FIR was registered at PS Channi Himmat. Between 2021 and 2022, the Bahu Tehsil authorities retrieved 1152 kanals of state and JDA land, even registering five FIRs against trespassers. Further, three FIRs were registered at Police Station Channi Himmat related to land grabbing. In July 2022 alone, Dr. Sharma led three separate operations, retrieving 55 kanals, 150 kanals, and 8 kanals of prime state land adjoining the National Highway bypass in Narwal, demolishing 26 illegal structures in the process after issuing eviction notices.
Between 2020 and November 2022, the Revenue Department in Tehsil Bahu demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to combating land encroachment. This period saw the registration of more than five separate FIRs targeting individuals who had illegally occupied state land, signalling a significant shift towards protecting public assets and holding encroachers accountable. This proactive approach was initially hailed as a major step towards curbing the rampant land grabbing that has plagued the region for years. It represented a clear message from the authorities that illegal occupation of state land would no longer be tolerated.
One specific case, which garnered significant attention at the time, involved the encroachment of a prime piece of state land. Following a thorough investigation, an FIR was registered against the encroachers at the Channi Himmat Police Station. The land, considered highly valuable due to its location and potential for development, was subsequently retrieved by the Revenue Department. This action was widely publicized and viewed as a victory against powerful land mafias operating in the area. It instilled hope among residents that the government was finally taking decisive action to protect state property and ensure its proper utilization for public benefit.
However, recent evidence obtained by Jammu Jottings has painted a troubling picture, suggesting that the initial success in combating encroachment has been short-lived. The same prime patch of state land, subject to the earlier FIR and subsequent retrieval, has once again been fenced off by land grabbers. This act of re-encroachment raises serious questions about the effectiveness of ongoing enforcement efforts and the security of retrieved land.
The ease with which land grabbers have managed to reoccupy the land suggests a potential lack of vigilance on the part of the Revenue Department and possibly even a resurgence of the illegal nexus between land mafias and officials within the department. The re-encroachment not only undermines the earlier efforts to protect state land but also sends a dangerous message that such illegal activities can continue with impunity.
The details of the re-encroachment, including the identities of the individuals involved and the extent of the land illegally occupied, are currently in the possession of Jammu Jottings. The publication is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and exposing the truth behind this apparent resurgence of land grabbing in Tehsil Bahu. The public has a right to know whether the government’s efforts to combat this issue are genuine and sustainable or merely symbolic gestures that fail to address the root causes of the problem.
Despite these efforts, the cycle of encroachment continues, raising questions about the effectiveness of the administration’s actions and the sincerity of their commitment to protecting state land.
The recent warning issued by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah against corrupt officials involved in illegal land dealings has seemingly gone unheeded. The lack of action against repeat offenders and the continued vulnerability of retrieved land to re-encroachment suggests a deeper problem within the revenue department.
The government must act decisively to break this cycle of corruption and impunity. Immediate steps are needed to secure retrieved land, investigate the alleged nexus between revenue officials and land grabbers, and protect innocent civilians from fraudulent land deals. The future of Jammu’s valuable land resources and the public’s faith in the administration hang in the balance.
Jammu Jottings is investigating and will soon reveal evidence regarding land designated with Khasra Nos, which was cleared of encroachers in 2021 and 2022 but is now again being encroached upon, allegedly with the assistance of revenue officials. We will present all gathered evidence to the public.
