BorderSecurity – Bihar Orders Probe into Land Claims in Kishanganj
BorderSecurity – Bihar has initiated a formal inquiry into allegations of unlawful land occupation in the border district of Kishanganj, following a high-level security review led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Purnea earlier this week.
State Announces Inquiry into Land Allegations
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also oversees the revenue and land reforms department, informed the Bihar Legislative Assembly that a special investigation committee will be constituted to examine claims that land in Kishanganj district has been encroached upon by individuals described as “outsiders.” The announcement came on the final day of the Budget session on Friday.
Sinha stated that the committee would verify complaints related to the alleged occupation and transfer of land in parts of the Seemanchal region, particularly in areas close to the international border. The government, he said, intends to assess the legal status of the properties in question and determine whether any violations of land laws have taken place.
Allegations Raised in Assembly
The matter was brought to the Assembly’s attention by JD(U) legislator Neeraj Agrawal, who represents the Thakurganj constituency in Kishanganj district. Agrawal alleged that land originally distributed to landless families under the Bhoodan scheme had been unlawfully taken over.
According to the MLA, parcels of land allocated to Dalits, Scheduled Tribes and members of the Muslim community in Dighalbank block are now under the control of people from outside the district. He further claimed that some of the disputed land had been “purchased” by individuals from neighboring districts in West Bengal, including Malda and Murshidabad.
Agrawal asserted that nearly 90 percent of such Bhoodan land in certain pockets had been encroached upon. He emphasized that under existing regulations, ownership rights of Bhoodan land are non-transferable, meaning the property cannot legally be sold or transferred to others. The allegations have prompted calls for closer scrutiny of land records and transactions in the region.
Strategic Importance of the Region
Kishanganj, particularly the Thakurganj area, holds strategic significance due to its proximity to the international boundary with Nepal and its closeness to West Bengal. The broader Seemanchal belt shares borders not only with Nepal but also with West Bengal, placing it near the Siliguri Corridor — a narrow stretch of land often referred to as the “Chicken Neck.” This corridor connects mainland India to the northeastern states and is considered strategically sensitive from both security and logistical perspectives.
Given this geographic context, any reports of infiltration or irregular land transactions in the area tend to attract heightened attention from both state and central authorities.
High-Level Security Review in Purnea
Earlier the same day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in Purnea with senior administrative and police officials from Bihar to review issues related to the India-Nepal border. The discussions focused on strengthening border management and addressing concerns related to infiltration, suspicious activities, and smuggling.
Officials present at the meeting outlined a revised strategy aimed at enhancing coordination among security agencies operating in the border districts. Measures discussed included tighter surveillance, improved intelligence sharing, and closer monitoring of sensitive areas.
While the state government has not linked the security review directly to the land encroachment allegations, both developments have drawn attention to the need for effective governance and oversight in border regions.
The special probe committee is expected to begin its work after formal notification is issued by the revenue and land reforms department. Its findings will determine whether further legal or administrative action is warranted.