Garhwa MLA Satyendra Nath Tiwari, has described the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign in Garhwa district as a form of administrative oppression against the poor. He accused local officials of acting contrary to regulations and extorting citizens under the pretext of removing encroachments. Tiwari challenged the administration to disclose any High Court order they may have pertaining to the encroachments, warning that if such an order is not made public, the campaign should be halted immediately; otherwise, he would raise the issue in the forthcoming legislative session against the culpable officials.
The legislator alleged that the officials involved in the removal of encroachments are acting arbitrarily for financial gain, noting that encroachments are selectively identified, sometimes in the east and at other times in the west, which he deemed entirely illegal. He further challenged the authorities to evict the 22 acres of land allocated to the Musahars under the CNT Act in Kalyanpur, rather than displacing the impoverished.
Tiwari also accused the Garhwa Superintendent of Police of forcibly clearing land from the poor, asserting that under the Land Acquisition Act, the government is obliged to compensate landowners four times the land's value before any construction can commence. He claimed that the Superintendent is harassing the poor at the behest of contractors and other officials.
The legislator urged voters in the Garhwa-Ranka assembly constituency to be prepared to voice their opposition against corrupt officials. He implored them not to vacate their land or permit any construction until they receive the compensation owed to them.
Tiwari made serious allegations against officials and staff linked to the revenue department, asserting that they are engaged in illegal land manipulation by unlawfully issuing LPCs (Land Possession Certificates). He announced that during the upcoming legislative session, he would demand the seizure of the assets of such corrupt officials and call for stringent action against them.
In conclusion, Tiwari issued a warning to the administration, stating that times and circumstances have changed, and officials must abandon their outdated practices or face severe consequences.
