'We voted for her': Maithili Thakur faces villagers' ire as land dispute escalates

BJP MLA and renowned folk singer Maithili Thakur (File Photo)PATNA: A land dispute involving BJP MLA and renowned folk singer Maithili Thakur has intensified in Darbhanga, even after a nearly 100-metre stretch of a disputed road was demolished late on Friday night.Amid mounting opposition from villagers, Thakur and her father, Ramesh Thakur, allegedly deployed a bulldozer to remove the brick-laid pathway and a wall constructed along it. However, the demolition has done little to ease tensions in Pokharbhinda panchayat of Tardih block.Villagers allege that portions of their private land remain encroached upon and enclosed by boundary walls. They maintain that removing the disputed road alone will not resolve the matter unless the alleged occupation of their plots is also addressed.The controversy has drawn a political response from RJD leader Vinod Mishra, who contested the Assembly election against Maithili Thakur. Mishra has highlighted allegations involving the land of several villagers and urged the MLA to intervene and resolve the matter in a manner that respects local sentiments.According to Mishra, allegations of encroachment have been raised over 12 dhurs of land belonging to Gagan Mishra, 27 dhurs belonging to Chandra Mohan Mishra and one kattha belonging to Ram Udgar Mishra. He also claimed that excavation near Shrawan Kumar Mishra's plot had damaged the land.Mishra said Maithili Thakur had earned considerable respect among people as a folk singer and should take the villagers' concerns seriously. He urged her to ensure that those whose land had allegedly been occupied were given back their property.The villagers, meanwhile, have expressed disappointment, saying they had voted for Thakur and sent her to the Assembly but were now facing a land dispute involving her family. They have accused her father of allegedly occupying government land, a public pathway, a common cremation and last-rites site, and private plots.Their complaints also concern construction near the common last-rites site close to Tiwari Baba Sthan and the alleged obstruction of the public road connecting Shashinath Mishra Chowk to the Waterways. Residents say farmers use the route to reach their fields and that construction along it has affected movement.Other allegations include encroachment on 14 dhurs of a three-kattha plot belonging to Bhagwan Mishra and a separate claim by Ramudar Mishra over 15 dhurs of land. Villagers have also complained that a drain flowing out of a pond was filled with soil and that part of the land belonging to the drain was allegedly used for road construction.Concerns have also been raised over soil excavation near ancestral memorials and private plots. Ramday Devi has apprehended damage to her land, while villagers fear that the excavation could also pose a risk to a nearby government transformer.Residents have submitted complaints to the administration, the Chief Minister's Office and the state government's Sahyog portal, seeking an impartial inquiry and the removal of alleged encroachments.Taking cognisance of the complaints, in-charge Circle Officer Alok Kumar has ordered an inquiry. Both sides will be called to a public hearing to present their claims, following which land documents will be examined and further action taken.For now, the demolition of the 100-metre stretch marks a significant development. However, with allegations concerning private plots, public land and drainage still unresolved, the dispute remains far from settled.What is the most pressing concern regarding the land dispute in your opinion?Encroachment of private plotsDestruction of public pathwaysImpact on farming routesPublic safety concerns due to excavation3k+ users shared opinion today 5k+ users already voted today Share Opinion