Dhanbad district administration has identified 180 houses and a marriage hall allegedly built on about 20 acres of government land in the Baramuri Khatal area, with notices, demolition and relocation planned for the occupants.
Dhanbad circle officer Ram Pravesh said the administration conducted a two-day survey and demarcation drive on the directions of deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan. The exercise was intended to identify government land under unauthorised occupation and establish its boundaries, officials said.
The administration also plans similar demarcation exercises at Pampu Talab and Loko Tank, according to the circle officer. Notices are expected to be issued to the occupants of the structures identified during the Baramuri survey.
Deputy commissioner Ranjan said the land had been allotted temporarily in 2005 for cattle sheds and was not intended for residential construction. He said an inquiry found that several people had built houses without permission. According to the deputy commissioner, all unauthorised structures would be demolished and the occupants shifted to another location.
The proposed action has raised concerns among residents, several of whom said they had been moved to Baramuri Khatal from the Bekarbandh Lake area in 2005. Area resident Aditya Yadav said officials reached the locality without prior notice during the festive season. Residents said they planned to meet the deputy commissioner to seek alternative arrangements before any eviction drive.
The survey places the administration’s land action in the context of long-term occupation and the status of the original relocation. While officials said the 2005 allotment was temporary and limited to cattle sheds, residents said many families had lived at the site since being relocated from Bekarbandh Lake. The supplied report does not specify the proposed relocation site, the timeline for demolition or the process through which occupants can respond to the notices.
Police action was also reported from the same locality. Senior superintendent of police Prabhat Kumar said a team raided a house at Baramuri Khatal on the night of October 17 after receiving information about an alleged plan to commit a criminal offence. Police said they seized a country-made pistol, two live cartridges and a magazine, registered a case under the Arms Act at Dhanbad Sadar police station and arrested Pappu Kumar, 31.
Police said Kumar was sent to jail and allegedly told investigators that Ankit Pathak of Bishunpur had given him the firearm for safekeeping. The alleged role of Pathak is under investigation. The administration’s next stated steps are to issue notices, continue land demarcation in other areas and arrange relocation before removing the unauthorised structures.
