Patna/Bettiah: The Bihar government is facing a fresh controversy over plans to clear encroachments on thousands of acres of land belonging to Bettiah Raj. KK Pathak, chairman of the Bihar Revenue Board, has announced a sweeping eviction drive.
The Bihar Legislative Assembly has already approved the acquisition of the land, which is valued in the billions. Pathak, known for his tough administrative stance, has set a 36-hour deadline to begin demolitions, a move that has sparked political debate.
The issue was raised in the Bihar Legislative Council, where RJD MLC Saurabh Kumar urged the government to intervene and halt the eviction. “We supported the acquisition of Bettiah Raj’s land, but an officer, known as Robin Hood, cannot simply order the displacement of poor families who have lived there for 70 years within 36 hours. The government must act to stop this,” he said.
With the state assembly’s resolution, around 15,358 acres of Bettiah Raj land have now come under the control of the Revenue Board. Official data indicates that 6,505 acres remain encroached. Pathak has been firm on his stand, stating that illegal occupants will be removed as part of the government’s land reclamation initiative.
During his visit to Bettiah on March 11, Pathak issued multiple directives, including an order to clear encroachments from the Hazari Pashu Mela site, a 110-acre plot. The government has plans to develop a medical industry on this land, with Pathak instructing that no trees be felled during the process.
The eviction drive has reignited concerns about the rights of those living on disputed land, as well as the broader implications of large-scale demolitions. As the government moves ahead with its plans, affected residents and opposition leaders continue to demand a more humane approach to land recovery.
