A major ruckus erupted in Barkheda Salam, Khajuri police station area, on Saturday afternoon during a land demarcation exercise, resulting in violence and chaos. Villagers, protesting against the land measurement, turned violent and attacked the Patwari and the land seller. Stones were pelted, and a farmer’s wife consumed poison in the midst of the commotion.
The land in question belongs to the son-in-law of Police Reform Cell Special DG Shailesh Singh. A Patwari had issued a notice to the opposing party to ensure the land measurement was conducted in their presence. However, the situation escalated into a dispute, with villagers attacking the Special DG’s vehicle using stones and a sickle.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, a heavy police force was dispatched to the scene. Special DG Shailesh Singh also arrived later and attempted to counsel the villagers, eventually bringing the situation under control. However, the team responsible for measuring the land was initially surrounded and assaulted by the villagers.
According to Khajuri Police Station In-Charge Neeraj Verma, the unrest stemmed from irregularities in the land settlement. The brother of the farmer who owns the land reportedly sold it without informing him. This discrepancy in land records is already under review in the SDM office.
During the chaos, villagers accused the police of misusing their authority. Slogans were raised against the police and the administration, and the DG’s car was targeted. A policeman at the scene attempted to cover the nameplate of the DG’s vehicle, but the villagers removed the cover and continued their protest.
The situation worsened as women armed with sickles and daggers joined the agitated crowd. A scuffle ensued, but the police managed to separate the groups and control the violence. Villagers, however, continued to pelt stones at the DG’s car and blocked attempts by the police to move it.
Special DG Shailesh Singh clarified that the land belonged to his son-in-law, Gagan Gupta, and that all necessary documentation was in place. The Patwari had issued a notice to conduct the measurement in the presence of all parties involved. Gagan Gupta stated that the dispute escalated after the Patwari displayed anger during the proceedings. Gupta emphasized that he had purchased the land in 2023, and the title and transfer were in his name. He added that he was unaware of any internal dispute between the seller and their family, whose adjacent land might be involved.
The incident highlights the persistent tensions surrounding land disputes and the challenges in resolving them. The farmer’s wife who consumed poison was rushed to the hospital, and her condition remains critical. Authorities are investigating the case to address the discrepancies in the land records and ensure justice is served.
