A land dispute involving allegations of encroachment on religious sites, government land, roads and private property has intensified in Alinagar, with Circle Officer Alok Kumar summoning the complainants and BJP MLA Maithili Thakur’s father, Ramesh Thakur, for a hearing.
The hearing was scheduled after villagers submitted an application concerning alleged occupation of the Gram Devta Tiwari Baba shrine, a Radha-Krishna temple and a Dihbar. The complaints also refer to the alleged filling of a drainage channel connected to a local pond and the construction of a room for a caretaker.
Villager Ram Autar Mishra has alleged that Ramesh Thakur encroached on his land. Another resident, Ramday Devi, claimed that excavation along the boundary of her property had put trees at risk. Residents have also raised concerns about soil excavation along the boundaries of other private plots in the area.
The allegations have drawn a political response. RJD MLA Bhai Virendra accused Maithili Thakur’s family of using political influence to grab land. He alleged that land grabbing and intimidation had become a pattern among NDA leaders and also criticised the media for giving greater prominence to statements from the ruling alliance than to those from the Opposition.
Maithili Thakur has denied the allegations against her father and challenged the complainants to substantiate their claims before the competent authorities. She said her family possessed valid land documents and described allegations circulating on social media over the previous two days as baseless.
The BJP MLA said a house was being built on land known as ‘Pokhar Bhinda’, where village elders regularly gather and extend their support. She urged the complainants to approach the circle officer, the deputy collector of land reforms or another competent authority with documentary evidence rather than making allegations online.
The dispute places the local land administration at the centre of the matter. Questions over the status of common land, drainage channels, religious sites and private boundaries require examination of land records, site conditions and the permissions, if any, associated with construction or excavation. The report does not establish whether any alleged encroachment has been confirmed by officials.
Circle Officer Alok Kumar said the administration had received an application from villagers and had summoned both sides to a ‘janata darbar’. Further action will be taken after the parties present their submissions, he said.
