RANCHI — Tension prevailed in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga town on Saturday morning after members of the Muslim community blocked National Highway at the busy Powerganj Chowk, protesting an alleged attempt to illegally take over land.
The road blockade, led by Anjuman Islamia, brought traffic to a standstill for nearly one and a half hours. Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the highway, causing inconvenience to daily commuters, office-goers and patients travelling to hospitals.
Protesters said the dispute concerns 71 decimals of land in Barhi area under Chatakpur mauza of Senha block. According to them, the land has housed a Karbala and a graveyard for more than a century, and several economically weak Muslim families have also been living there for decades.
“This land is not new or disputed historically. It has been used as a Karbala and qabristan for generations,” said Rauf Ansari, president of Anjuman Islamia. “Despite this, some land mafia allegedly got the land registered wrongly and are now trying to take control. This is a direct attack on our religious rights.”
Another protester said repeated complaints to the district administration had failed to yield results. “We approached the authorities several times, but no concrete action was taken. That is why people were forced to take to the streets,” he said.
Following the blockade, the Sadar Circle Officer reached the site along with personnel from the Sadar police station. Officials attempted to persuade the protesters to clear the road, but the crowd continued raising slogans and demanded immediate protection of the land.
Shahid Ahmad Belu, secretary of Anjuman Islamia, said administrative delay had worsened the situation. “If timely action had been taken, this protest would not have happened. Silence from officials only emboldens those trying to grab Muslim land,” he said.
After prolonged discussions, the administration assured the protesters that a meeting would be held on January 28 to hear all parties and resolve the matter. “We have been promised a fair hearing. We hope the authorities will now act impartially,” Rauf Ansari said.
Following the assurance, the protest was called off and traffic resumed. However, community leaders warned of renewed agitation if action is delayed.
“If there is any attempt to suppress the issue or protect land grabbers, we will intensify our movement,” said a community elder. “We will not stop until the Karbala, the graveyard and the homes of poor families are fully protected.”
The incident has once again highlighted concerns among sections of Indian Muslims regarding the safety of religious land, alleged land mafia activity, and the need for timely and impartial administrative intervention to maintain public peace.
