Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Grants Land Rights to Thousands in Lakhimpur District
In a significant move aimed at empowering marginalized communities, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday allocated land rights to a total of 6,706 families in Lakhimpur district. This includes 2,350 families displaced by land erosion and 4,356 families belonging to the Tharu tribal community.
Strict Warning Against Mafia Elements
During his address at the event held in Chandan Chauki, the Chief Minister issued a stern warning to those attempting to establish mafia dominance in the region. "The government will not allow any mafia to flourish, snatch the rights of the poor, or loot the jobs of the youth," he declared emphatically. He added that such elements should be prepared to be "ground to dust" if they continue their activities.
Massive Development Push for Assembly Constituencies
Yogi Adityanath also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 314 development projects with a combined worth of Rs 817 crore. These projects are specifically targeted at four assembly constituencies: Palia, Shrinagar, Nighaasan, and Gola Gokarannath. The Chief Minister emphasized that true governance is defined by happy citizens, and only a sensitive administration can effectively serve the people.
"The people gave us the mandate, so we are giving them their rights," he stated, connecting electoral support with governmental responsibility.
Addressing Historical Injustices for Tharu Community and Freedom Fighters
The Chief Minister highlighted long-standing historical neglect faced by certain groups. He noted that dependents of freedom fighters from eastern Uttar Pradesh had settled in the Lakhimpur region back in 1955, yet none of the three generations that followed had ever received proper land ownership rights.
Similarly, the Tharu community, which has a proud history of valour and bravery, had been struggling for identity and land rights for decades. "Chandan Chauki and dozens of Tharu-dominated villages around it were struggling for identity. They were once harassed by the forest, police, and revenue departments," Yogi revealed.
He pointed out that while there was talk of granting land to the Tharu community as early as 1976, actual ownership never materialized. The current administration has now rectified this historical injustice.
Criticism of Previous Administration and Vision for Equal Development
Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp critique against the previous Samajwadi Party government, accusing them of being ensnared in dynastic politics and neglecting the Tharu community for years. "They imposed curfews, nurtured mafia and criminals, and created an identity crisis for the youth," he alleged.
Contrasting this with his administration's approach, the Chief Minister stated: "Earlier, development used to happen only in Saifai. One family used to swallow everything, but for BJP, UP's population of 25 crore is family. Equal development is happening in every district. Now land, name, respect, and identity are also being given."
Economic Empowerment and Infrastructure Development
During the event, the Chief Minister encouraged local MLA Romi Sahni to expand her bakery business in Chandan Chauki and surrounding areas. He specifically urged her to connect self-help groups run by the Tharu community with this business venture. More than 300 women self-help groups are currently functional in the region, with each group having received a revolving fund of Rs 30,000 and a community investment fund of Rs 1.5 lakh.
Yogi also detailed several major infrastructure projects underway in the area:
- The Gola Gokarannath corridor development
- The country's first PLA (Polylactic Acid) plant in the Gola Gokarannath assembly constituency
- A dedicated plastic park
Transforming Lakhimpur's Identity
The Chief Minister reflected on the transformation of Lakhimpur Kheri's identity, noting that its original name was Lakshmipur. "Where earlier districts were known for criminals, Lakhimpur Kheri is now known for Dudhwa National Park, Palia airport, Chandan Chauki, Baba Gola Gokarannath, and the medical college established in Shrinagar," he proudly stated.
He described Chandan Chauki as the pride of the district, where tribal culture, self-respect, and the fertility of the Terai region flourish together in harmony.
