Monday 27 August 2012

Apna Kishanganj Series! Tribal encroachment an alarm bell for safety and peace

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Kishanganj feels proud in claiming itself as one of the most peaceful districts of the country. This is true upto certain extent as well, despite carrying the label of one of India’s most backward districts the people of the district show an excellent example of the peace and brotherhood. However, historic evidences clearly say that any particular place or region can’t remain same decades after decades. Either its condition shifts from good to bad or vice versa. This historic logic applies for the district of Kishanganj, which is even referred with famour Persian quote, “ Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast” (if there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this) once used by Mughal Emperor Jehangir to refer the beauty of Kashmir Valley and its gardens. 



I always feel proud in referring my native land Kishanganj with the above mentioned quote. However, in past a couple of years I find it unjustified to refer the north-eastern district of Bihar with the same quote. There are many reasons behind my different thinking and one of them prime reason is mass level tribal encroachment in various parts of the district. This trend of mass migration of tribals from different parts of Bihar and neighbouring states of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand had come into notice in 2008-2009. Since then it has become a tradition and almost everyday the tribals are migrating to the district of Kishanganj. Informed sources said that taking advantage of dark in the night and less-active administration the tribals come to Kishanganj by various trains and spread in different parts of the district. 

The blocks of Pothia and Thakurganj are favourite places in Kishanganj for these tribals, where there are several acres of government land. Without taking any permission from district authority the tribals encroach the government land. The major concern is that tribals are encroaching the land of common people which is badly affecting the law and order situation in Kishanganj. The tribals even get ready to fight with the actual owner of the land with their traditional arms like bow and reportedly killed them as well. Even the district administration thinks twice before taking any action against the migrated tribals. Many landlords have lost their personal lands to these tribals because of lackluster approach of the district administration. One example is the 300 acres land of businessman Afzal Hussain, which he had offered for establishing the AMU Centre in Kishanganj. Just after his announcement in public the land was encroached by tribals that he could not free. 

Now there is a big question, how these tribals moved towards the district of Kishanganj? Sources said that this mass migration of tribals towards is happening under the guidance of some people with vested interest. Say it the selfishness of the particular group or the foolish group, the tribal migration have caused major disturbance in the peace loving credentials of Kishanganj. The government land offered for the establishment of AMU in Kishanganj at Chakla was encroached by tribals within a week under the guidelines of a local leader. The district administration is unable to displace those tribals from the land for past three years. Similarly, the tribals have encroached several acres of tea gardens in Thakurganj area of Kishanganj. The wheat / rice / maize crop fields are also illegally encroached by the tribals in the recent time. Even the normal residential land are targeted by the tribals. 



Major concern is that the neither the district administration nor the government of Bihar is bothered about this setback in the district. This is going to affect the normalcy in the district of Kishanganj and neighbouring areas at a large extent in the coming time. This is a truth apart from cultivation there is no any source of income for common people of Kishanganj. The tribals have already encroached several acres of cultivation land, which has directly affected the farmers. 

Right now the tribals are targeting the land and after a certain time they will start another battle for their livelihood. Then what the tribals will do under such circumstances? Obviously they can take any step to ensure their meals and go to any extent as the administration doesn’t take any hard step against them. The possibilities of getting involved in illegal and anti-national activities are high among these tribals as they are guided by a group of anti-social elements with their vested interest. Event the Naxals and Maoists leaders can target these tribals for their personal benefit. Need of the hour is that the district administration should become more vigil to stop this mass migration of tribals to Kishanganj from different parts of the country. Unless it is an open invitation to eruption of chaos in the peaceful district of Kishanganj, where people love to live with peace and brotherhood.    

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AboutMd Mudassir Alam

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