Dalit landowners not permitted to cultivate their land, BSF 'illegally' deciding real owners

By Kirity Roy*

There is an urgent need to highlight a serious violation of human rights, as defined in Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India. This issue directly affects the villagers of Notun Rajapur, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ranitala Police Station in the Bhagwangola-II Block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal. Since April 7, 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed at Madan Ghat BOP, Battalion No. 149, Company, Out Post (OP) No. 1, has imposed restrictions that prevent local villagers from accessing and farming their own lands, causing significant distress and suffering within this impoverished agricultural community.

These farmers, who entirely depend on their agricultural lands for their livelihoods, have been unlawfully barred from cultivating their properties. This enforced restriction seems to be in collusion with certain individuals who, with the BSF's assistance, are attempting to seize the lands of these farmers, many of whom belong to the Scheduled Caste community. The resulting deprivation has inflicted severe economic burden and psychological trauma on the affected families.

On June 8, 2024, when the villagers attempted to reclaim their lands, they were met with threats from Arun Mondal, the husband of a local elected village committee member, along with several local thugs armed with sticks and weapons. The BSF personnel present did not intervene, further substantiating the allegations against the BSF.

On June 11, 2024, the landowners collectively submitted a written complaint to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Bhagwangola-II Block, requesting immediate intervention and redress. Yet, despite the time that has elapsed, no actions have been taken to address their concerns or restore their rightful access to their land.

This ongoing situation violates the fundamental human rights of the farmers and infringes on their constitutional rights to livelihood and property. The actions of the BSF and these complicit individuals have caused great hardship to an already vulnerable population, stripping them of their primary means of income and sustenance.

In light of the severity of this situation, I earnestly request that you:

1. Conduct a comprehensive investigation under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, into the allegations of unlawful restriction and land seizure by the BSF and the involved parties.

2. Take immediate measures to allow the affected farmers to return to their lands and resume their agricultural activities without further hindrance.

3. Hold accountable those responsible for violating the villagers' rights and ensure justice is delivered.

4. Provide appropriate compensation and support to the affected families for the losses and suffering caused by these unlawful actions.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha and National Convenor Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity. This article is based on the author's representation to the Principal Secretary, Home & Hill Affairs, West Bengal. Kirity Roy

Comments

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Concentration of wealth in India at levels 'comparable to colonial times', says new report

By Jag Jivan A new report published in March 2026 by the Centre for Financial Accountability and the Tax The Top campaign paints a stark picture of deepening economic disparity in India, documenting a concentration of wealth that it argues is “comparable to colonial times.” Titled Wealth Tracker India | Tax the Top. Close the Gap , the compilation presents data from the World Inequality Database and the Hurun Rich List to illustrate the meteoric rise of the ultra-wealthy alongside the stagnation and debt burdens of the majority.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Beneath the stone: Revisiting the New Jersey mandir controversy

By Rajiv Shah A recent report published in the British media outlet The Guardian , titled “Workers carved the largest modern Hindu temple in the west. Now, some have incurable lung disease,” took me back to my visits to the New Jersey mandir —first in 2022, when it was still under construction, though parts of it were open to visitors, and again in 2024, after its completion.

Search This Blog