The trespassers in Lakhimpur’s Dhora Tehsil built huts on the land and raise BJP flags to pressure officials; authorities promise action, but victims still await justice
LAKHIMPUR — A serious case of alleged land grabbing and intimidation has come to light in the Dhora Tehsil area of Lakhimpur district in Uttar Pradesh, where Hindu villagers reportedly destroyed crops belonging to Muslim farmers and occupied their fields, even putting up BJP flags to deter officials from intervening.
According to the complaint filed by the victims, several members of the minority community — including Farid Khan, Waheed Khan, Hameed Khan, Rashid Khan, Jamshed Khan, Gulshed Khan, Naveen Khan, and Mumtaz Begum, all residents of Dhora town — jointly own cultivable land recorded under Gata No. 1398 and 1865 in the Amethi village panchayat of Dhora Tehsil.
The victims claim that on 12 October, a group of Hindu men — Satish, Ashok, Jay Prakash, Vinod, Rakesh, Manalal, Ramesh, Vishram, Gayare, Ram Bhajan, Brij Mohan, Khushi Ram, and Chhatrapal, all from Namdar Khan Purva Mazraat Amethi — entered their land, destroyed their standing groundnut crop, and forcibly built huts on about two acres of land.
“They have not only destroyed our crops but also built huts and started tying their cattle inside,” said Farid Khan, one of the affected farmers. “When we tried to stop them, they beat us and threatened us, saying we cannot remove them because they are supported by the ruling party.”
The complainants allege that the accused, in a show of political power, hoisted BJP flags atop the makeshift huts to create fear and demonstrate their influence. “They are using the party flag as a shield for their illegal acts,” said Rashid Khan. “We have nowhere to go. The administration is silent, and our fields are under their control.”
The victims lodged a complaint with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Shashi Kant Mani, and also reported the incident through the Chief Minister’s Jan Shikayat Portal, seeking removal of the encroachment and restoration of their land.
Responding to the complaint, SDM Mani confirmed that the issue has come up before the authorities. “A joint team of revenue and police officers visited the site. Documents from both parties have been collected, and verification is ongoing. If encroachment is confirmed, it will be removed with necessary force,” he told reporters. However, he also admitted that no final action has yet been taken.
Meanwhile, local MLA Vinod Shankar Awasthi condemned any act of forcible occupation. “If the farmers’ land has been occupied without their consent, it is completely wrong,” he said. “The administration must resolve the dispute and give the land to its rightful owners.” The MLA, however, denied any knowledge of BJP flags being used in the incident.
The affected farmers, feeling helpless and insecure, said they have been “wandering from office to office” for weeks. “Our families depend on this land,” said Waheed Khan. “Now, our livelihood is gone. We are asking only for justice and protection from those who think political symbols make them untouchable.”
Local residents claim that such incidents are not isolated, alleging a growing pattern of intimidation against minority farmers in the region. “Whenever a dispute arises, the powerful use political symbols and threats,” said a villager who requested anonymity. “People are afraid to speak out because they fear retaliation.”
While the administration promises to take “appropriate steps,” the victims continue to wait anxiously for action. Their fields remain occupied, their crops destroyed, and their faith in justice uncertain.
“The law should protect us, not the ones who misuse power,” said Hameed Khan. “We are poor farmers, not criminals. All we want is our land back and peace in our village.”
As the case unfolds, the question remains whether the authorities will act decisively or allow fear and political pressure to overshadow justice for the vulnerable Muslim farmers of Dhora Tehsil.
