Villagers Submit Memorandum to Pataratu CO Over Alleged Illegal Possession of Land in Ucheringa

Residents and khatiyani raiyats of Ucheringa village submitted a memorandum to the Pataratu Circle Officer on Tuesday, seeking immediate intervention over an alleged dispute concerning land ownership and suspected illegal attempts to take possession of their ancestral land.

According to the raiyats, several plots in Mauza Ucheringa are recorded under Khata No. 41, covering a total area of 11 acres and 50 decimals. They claimed that the 1961-62 mini survey records the entire 29 plots under the name of Jamuna Prasad, son of Mathura Prasad, which they have disputed.

The villagers said the earlier 1909-10 survey records contain the names of several raiyats from Ucheringa, who have allegedly remained in possession of the land for generations. They said the families have been cultivating the land, residing on it and paying land revenue at the Pataratu Circle Office for decades.

The raiyats questioned how the land could have subsequently been recorded in the name of Jamuna Prasad during the 1961-62 survey when earlier records and Register-II reportedly carried the names of the traditional raiyats and revenue receipts had continued to be issued in their names.

The villagers expressed concern over the situation and said tensions had increased in the area, raising the possibility of a confrontation if the matter was not addressed promptly.

Through the memorandum, the raiyats demanded that the sale and purchase of all plots under Khata No. 41 be immediately restricted until the ownership dispute is properly examined. They also requested that the land remain with the khatiyani raiyats who, according to them, have been cultivating the land and living there for generations.

The villagers warned that they would launch a larger agitation if the administration failed to take timely action.

The memorandum was submitted by several local residents, including Mukhiya Kishore Kumar Mahto, Bhubaneswar Mahto, Shamsher Alam, Vakil Mahto, Chhotan Mahto, Laxmi Kant Mahto, Bhubaneswar Singh and Gopal Mahto.

The dispute now puts the focus on the revenue records from different survey periods. A verification of the historical records, possession status, land revenue receipts and subsequent changes in the land register could help establish the facts and prevent further escalation of the dispute.