RAIPUR — A land dispute involving dozens of Muslim families of Rajakatel village in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, has reached the revenue court after authorities issued notices asking residents to explain how they obtained land in the area.
The case has been registered in the court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Udaipur under Section 170B of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code. The law allows officials to check whether land belonging to tribal communities has been transferred illegally to non-tribal persons.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 20 March, when several Muslim families will be required to appear before the court and submit documents related to their settlement.
However, many Muslim residents say the case is deeply worrying for them and their families. They claim they have lived in the area peacefully for decades and are now being portrayed as outsiders who took land illegally.
Residents and community representatives also allege that the matter is being turned into a political and communal issue.
Muslim residents say their presence in Rajakatel village goes back many years.
According to people living in the settlement, the first few Muslim families arrived in the area around 1987 while travelling for small trade activities such as selling goats, bangles, and household items.
Over time, relatives and acquaintances from Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal joined them and gradually settled in the area.
Today, around 80 to 90 Muslim families are believed to be living in Rajakatel and nearby areas.
Many residents say they built their homes slowly over the years and have lived peacefully with their neighbours.
One resident, who said his family had spent most of their lives in the village, expressed shock over the allegations.
“Our families have lived here peacefully for years. We came here only to earn a living through small work like selling goats and bangles. Suddenly we are being treated as outsiders who grabbed land,” he said.
Another resident said the community had always tried to live quietly without conflict.
“We did not take land by force. People knew us here for many years. We built our homes slowly and our children grew up here. This place became our home,” he said.
The issue came into public discussion after members of the Pando tribal community complained to officials that land belonging to tribal families had been occupied by outsiders.
Following the complaint, BJP councillor Alok Dubey from the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation visited the village along with members of the party’s Scheduled Tribe Front.
After their visit, the matter was raised with district authorities and an inquiry was ordered.
Officials say notices have now been issued to Muslim residents under Section 170B, asking them to explain how they obtained the land.
Tehsildar officials in Lakhanpur have also issued notices under Section 250 of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, which deals with restoring possession if someone has been removed from land without legal authority.
A revenue department official said the court would examine documents from both sides before taking any decision.
“The purpose of the case is to verify records and establish the facts. If documents exist, they will be considered. If there are irregularities, action will be taken according to law,” the official said.
Several Muslim residents believe the dispute is being presented in a one-sided way and say their long presence in the area is being ignored.
Community members say the families came as poor traders and labourers and built their lives in the village through hard work.
A local Muslim elder said the families had always respected the tribal community and never wanted conflict.
“We respect the tribal community and never wanted any dispute. We only came here to work and survive. Now we feel we are being blamed because of our identity,” he said.
He added that many families have limited documents because they settled many years ago when formal paperwork was not always available for small rural settlements.
Residents fear that if their claims are not accepted, many poor families could lose their homes.
Members of the Pando community say their land was gradually occupied and that they had remained silent for many years.
Some tribal residents have asked authorities to investigate how land documents were issued and whether any irregularities took place.
They also say the administration must check records carefully before taking any decision.
However, Muslim residents strongly reject claims that they occupied land illegally and insist they have lived in the area openly for decades.
The dispute has drawn attention from local civil society groups, some of whom say such cases must be handled carefully so that tensions between communities do not grow.
A local social worker said land disputes are common in rural areas but they should not be used to create mistrust.
“Land disputes happen in many villages. But when the issue is linked with religion or identity, it can create unnecessary tension. Authorities must look at the facts carefully and protect the rights of everyone,” he said.
Section 170B of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code deals with the protection of land belonging to tribal communities. It allows revenue officials to examine whether land owned by tribal families has been transferred illegally to non-tribal persons.
If the transfer is found to be illegal, the law allows authorities to return the land to the original tribal owner.
Another provision mentioned in the notices is Section 250 of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959, which allows a landowner to seek restoration of possession if they have been removed from land without proper authority.
Officials say these laws provide a legal process for resolving disputes involving land ownership.
For the Muslim residents of Rajakatel, the upcoming hearing has created deep uncertainty.
Many families say they fear losing homes where they have lived for years and raised their children.
One resident said the community hopes the administration will consider their long presence in the village and treat them fairly.
“We are poor people who came here only to work and live peacefully. We have spent many years here. We only want justice and fairness,” he said.
The SDM court in Udaipur will examine documents and statements from both sides during the hearing scheduled for 20 March.
