An 85-year-old farmer in Jharkhand's Chatra district is waging a desperate battle against alleged land grabbers, running from one government office to another in a quest to reclaim his ancestral property. The elderly man claims local musclemen have forcefully taken over his agricultural land, leaving him helpless despite possessing all valid ownership documents.
A Lifetime's Toil Under Threat
Uman Singh Bhogta, a resident of Chortand village under Bengokala panchayat in the Kanhachatti block, has seen his four acres of agricultural land allegedly occupied by force. The accused, identified as Munna Yadav from Mangda village, is said to have taken possession of the land in November this year.
Despite his advanced age and frail health, Bhogta has been making relentless rounds of the local circle office and the police station to file his complaint and seek justice. He represents the grim reality of many in rural India, where legal processes are often slow and the powerful easily intimidate the vulnerable.
Official Apathy Compounds the Crisis
In a statement filled with despair, Bhogta revealed the threats he faced when trying to resist the takeover. "Yadav not only took possession of my land but also threatened me when I tried to resist," the elderly farmer said. He emphasized that he holds all the necessary papers to prove his ownership, but the system's inertia has left him in a state of limbo.
"The slow legal process and lack of administrative response left me helpless," Bhogta added, summarizing the frustration of countless citizens who get entangled in property disputes. A local resident echoed this sentiment, posing a poignant question: "If an 85-year-old farmer cannot get justice despite having documents, what hope does a common villager have?"
Police Response and the Path Ahead
When contacted about the case, Rajpur police station officer-in-charge Sandeep Kumar confirmed that they received the application from the elderly farmer on Monday. Kumar stated, "The case will be examined in detail with the cooperation of the circle office and necessary action will be taken."
This assurance, however, offers little immediate solace to Bhogta, who continues his wearying pilgrimage for justice. The incident highlights the urgent need for:
- Expedited legal mechanisms for the elderly and vulnerable in land dispute cases.
- Stronger administrative will to act swiftly against alleged muscle power and land grabbing.
- Greater accountability in local governance to protect the property rights of citizens.
The plight of Uman Singh Bhogta is more than an individual tragedy; it is a test of the system's commitment to delivering timely justice, especially to its most aged and defenseless citizens.
