Kotkasim panchayat in Rajasthan's Alwar district has alleged that nearly 20 families have encroached upon 3.03 hectares of government land in Khatikan Mohalla on the bank of the Sabi River. According to the panchayat members, the families started settling on the land nearly 30 years ago. Over the years, the sarpanches (heads of village panchayat) kept on changing, and some favoured the families. They even issued land allotment letters to some of the families, providing them legal titles to the land. On March 6, 2019, Sarpanch Mahaveer Acharya decided to remove the allegedly illegal settlements. A team of the panchayat reached the area with bulldozers but were met with protests by the people living there. Facing immense pressure from the families, the panchayat officials returned without demolishing the settlements. Acharya also noted that the panchayat had written a letter to Kotkasim tehsildar Ajeet Yadav on March 6, who assured him of action against the occupants. In the letter, Acharya had alleged that the encroachment was blocking a road leading to the village's Anganwadi. New headline: Kotkasim Panchayat in Rajasthan's Alwar Seeks to Evict Households on Government Land
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Type of Common Land
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other
Legislations/Policies Involved
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:
Lack of legal protection over land rights, Forced evictions/ Dispossession of Land
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Complaints, petitions, memorandums to officials , Protests/marches
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Alwar district administration, Kotkasim panchayat
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:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Documented By
Ashish GaurReviewed By
Ashish GaurUpdated By
Ashish GaurEdited By
Ashish GaurLand Conflict Watch
