Army Land Acquisition Plan In Bihar's Kishanganj Draws Protests From Residents, Opposition Leaders

A proposal to acquire around 250 acres of land for the Indian Army in Bihar's Kishanganj district has sparked strong opposition from villagers, farmers and local political leaders, who say the identified plots are densely inhabited and home to religious sites.

The land falls across four mouzas, namely Satbhitta and Kanhaiyabari under Kochadhaman circle, and Shakor and Natwapara under Bahadurganj circle. Residents say the area contains hundreds of homes, farmlands, mosques, an Eidgah and graveyards.

In Satbhitta village, farmer Najmuddin said, as reported by Patna Press, his family had worked the land for generations. "Our homes, mosque and graveyard are here. If this land is taken away, where will we go? The government can choose another location, but shifting an entire population is not possible," he said.

An elderly woman from the village echoed the concern. "Land is not just soil; it is our identity. We respect the Army, but we cannot abandon our homes and faith," she said.

AIMIM's Bahadurganj MLA Tausif Alam said the party was not against the Army but opposed the choice of location. "The identified area is filled with houses, mosques, Eidgah and graveyards. This acquisition will ruin hundreds of poor families," he said.

Kochadhaman MLA Sarfaraz Alam has submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate seeking alternative land, while AIMIM state president Akhtarul Iman met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna over the matter.

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha.

Kishanganj's strategic location near the Bangladesh border, Nepal border and the Siliguri Corridor has long made it a security priority.

Officials say a permanent Army base there would strengthen border preparedness.

The district administration has sent a preliminary survey report to the state government. No final acquisition order has been issued yet.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh Invests Rs 6,000 Crore In 200 New Electric Substations For Reliable Power Supply