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Jharkhand Farmers Demand Return of Land Acquired for Barhi Mega Growth Centre

Reported by

Alok

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

April 24, 2017

May 17, 2022

Edited on

April 24, 2017

State

Jharkhand

Sector

Industry

People Affected by Conflict

3000

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

304

ha

Starting Year

1998

Location of Conflict

Konra

Hazaribagh

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Manufacturing

Land Conflict Summary

Residents of Konra village in Barhi town have led a series of protests for over a decade demanding to get back their land acquired for the Barhi Mega Industrial Growth Centre in Hazaribagh district. The proposed industrial park is part of the AmritsarKolkata Industrial Corridor. The industrial project was conceptualised in 1998 to 'boost' the states image as a major industrial hub. The Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority acquired nearly 750 acres of land for the project, of which 500 acres were acquired from farmers. In 2009, reportedly 101 acres were transferred to set up a Cobra battalion. Vinod Vishwakarma, an activist from Barhi, filed a public interest litigation with the support of affected land owners at the Jharkhand high court, seeking the return of all acquired land. Since the matter is subjudice, government officials are waiting for the courts decision. Vishwakarma points out that a major portion of the acquired land is agricultural land, adding that the farmers were promised jobs. However, since then, not a single industrial unit has been set up and no employment generated. The families who had given up their farmlands are staring at a livelihood crisis as agriculture was their only source of income. We were cheated by the lawyer representing our case. He told the court that the petitioners did not wish to fight the case anymore and so our case was dismissed in August 2018. But we had never asked him to withdraw the case. People who gave up their land were offered INR 125 per decimal, but the market rate today is INR 35,000 per decimal. This is the magnitude of the injustice to the raiyats who gave up their land, Vishwakarma told LCW. Activists point out to the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act Amendment of 1993, which states that if no industry or establishment is set up on the acquired land within five years, the land should be returned to the rightful owners. So far, only a boundary well has been erected around the acquired land. Meanwhile, the Department of Industry has envisaged investments for providing modern infrastructure facilities for rapid industrialisation at the yettobbebuilt growth centre.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to get back acquired land

Complaint against procedural violations

Demand for employment

Demand for more compensation than promised

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban and Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

350

Type of investment:

Investment Made

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Land Reform Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority Act, 2001
Section 9 [Acquisition of any land for public purpose under Land Acquisition Act, 1894]
Santhal Parganas Tenancy (Supplementary Provisions) Act, 1949
Section 53 (6) [If the land so acquired is not utilised for the purpose for which it was required within five years of taking possession, the Deputy Commissioner may pass an order restoring the land to the original raiyat]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Non-implementation of land reform laws

Incorrect estimation of compensation

Delay in allottment and possession of land/property

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court of Jharkhand

Case Number

WP (C) 6227/2016

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Judicial harassment

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Criminal cases were filed against members of the Bhoomi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.

Date of Violation

September 20, 2016

Location of Violation

Hazaribagh

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Advocacy (for inclusion in courts)

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority, Department of Industry

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

IL&FS

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Bhoomi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

Residents of Konra village in Barhi town have led a series of protests for over a decade demanding to get back their land acquired for the Barhi Mega Industrial Growth Centre in Hazaribagh district. The proposed industrial park is part of the AmritsarKolkata Industrial Corridor. The industrial project was conceptualised in 1998 to 'boost' the states image as a major industrial hub. The Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority acquired nearly 750 acres of land for the project, of which 500 acres were acquired from farmers. In 2009, reportedly 101 acres were transferred to set up a Cobra battalion. Vinod Vishwakarma, an activist from Barhi, filed a public interest litigation with the support of affected land owners at the Jharkhand high court, seeking the return of all acquired land. Since the matter is subjudice, government officials are waiting for the courts decision. Vishwakarma points out that a major portion of the acquired land is agricultural land, adding that the farmers were promised jobs. However, since then, not a single industrial unit has been set up and no employment generated. The families who had given up their farmlands are staring at a livelihood crisis as agriculture was their only source of income. We were cheated by the lawyer representing our case. He told the court that the petitioners did not wish to fight the case anymore and so our case was dismissed in August 2018. But we had never asked him to withdraw the case. People who gave up their land were offered INR 125 per decimal, but the market rate today is INR 35,000 per decimal. This is the magnitude of the injustice to the raiyats who gave up their land, Vishwakarma told LCW. Activists point out to the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act Amendment of 1993, which states that if no industry or establishment is set up on the acquired land within five years, the land should be returned to the rightful owners. So far, only a boundary well has been erected around the acquired land. Meanwhile, the Department of Industry has envisaged investments for providing modern infrastructure facilities for rapid industrialisation at the yettobbebuilt growth centre.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to get back acquired land

Complaint against procedural violations

Demand for employment

Demand for more compensation than promised

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban and Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

Total investment involved (in Crores):

350

Type of investment:

Investment Made

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Land Reform Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority Act, 2001
Section 9 [Acquisition of any land for public purpose under Land Acquisition Act, 1894]
Santhal Parganas Tenancy (Supplementary Provisions) Act, 1949
Section 53 (6) [If the land so acquired is not utilised for the purpose for which it was required within five years of taking possession, the Deputy Commissioner may pass an order restoring the land to the original raiyat]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Non-implementation of land reform laws

Incorrect estimation of compensation

Delay in allottment and possession of land/property

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court of Jharkhand

Case Number

WP (C) 6227/2016

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Judicial harassment

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Criminal cases were filed against members of the Bhoomi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.

Date of Violation

September 20, 2016

Location of Violation

Hazaribagh

Nature of Protest

Advocacy (for inclusion in courts)

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority, Department of Industry

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

IL&FS

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Bhoomi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

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