Forest Department issues notices accusing villagers of illegal encroachment under Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Division, demanding evidence of residence
NEW DELHI/BAHRAICH – The Forest Department in Uttar Pradesh has stirred deep anxiety among residents of a historic village under the Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Division, issuing notices to 185 villagers accusing them of illegal encroachment. Among those served is the revered Noori Masjid community, whose members assert their roots in the area stretch back several generations, to the time when British authorities constructed nearby railway lines.
Divisional Forest Officer B Shiv Shankar confirmed that notices were issued under Section 61B and that evidence of residence must be provided. “Those who can present valid documents will not be removed,” he said, emphasising the need for proof to protect their homes.
However, villagers fear this move will uproot their longstanding lives. “We have been living here for four to five generations,” said Mohammad Aslam, a local. “Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were here when the British were building the railway. This notice has come suddenly. If we lose this land, where will we go?”
The residents’ concerns are heightened by the inclusion of Noori Masjid in the notices, a place of worship central to the Muslim community in Bechia Bazaar. “Our mosque is not just a building but the heart of our community,” explained Imam Saeed Ali. “Asking us for documents is like asking us to prove our existence here, which has been part of our lives for centuries.”
The villagers, many of whom travelled over 100 kilometres by bus to present themselves at the Divisional Forest Officer’s office, say the process has caused distress and confusion. They claim the area has never been classified as forest land and that their families’ continuous residence predates any recent claims.
“The British-era heritage of this village is well known. To now question our right to live here feels unjust,” said Rahim Khan, another elder of the village. “Our ancestors cleared this land and built homes; this is our home, not an illegal encroachment.”
The situation also raises concerns over the broader treatment of Indian Muslims in rural areas, who often face displacement under various land and forest laws. Critics argue such notices disproportionately affect minority communities, who lack the resources to legally contest sudden eviction threats.
Legal experts point out that under Indian law, customary rights and continuous residence over generations must be considered before declaring land ‘illegal’. “Eviction without proper and fair inquiry risks violating fundamental rights,” said advocate Farah Naz. “The authorities must act with sensitivity and transparency.”
Local politicians and social activists have urged the Forest Department to reconsider the notices and engage in dialogue with the villagers. “Displacing families who have lived here since British times will only deepen mistrust and hardship,” said Faiz Ahmed, a local community leader. “The administration should help protect their heritage, not threaten it.”
The villagers of Bechia and Noori Masjid await a just resolution that respects their history and dignity. The issue reflects larger questions about how India balances conservation efforts with protecting minority communities’ rights to their homes and heritage.
