Baramuri, Dhanbad — MLA Raj Sinha visited Baramuri on Monday to meet residents alarmed at the prospect of losing their homes in an impending anti-encroachment operation, according to local reports. The visit followed statements from the district administration that the area — originally allotted for cattle sheds — contains permanent structures and alleged illegal activities.
Residents seek assurance as administration readies survey
The Dhanbad deputy commissioner, Aditya Ranjan, told officials that plots in Baramuri had been allotted for cattle shelters but many beneficiaries built permanent houses and some began renting them out, the report said. He also indicated that the administration would clear the area after completing a formal survey, noting that weapons had been recovered recently during operations.
- Families affected: Around 200 families who were relocated to Baramuri in 2005.
- Administration position: Land originally granted for cattle sheds; presence of permanent structures and alleged illegal activity cited.
- Political response: MLA Raj Sinha pledged to raise the matter with the deputy commissioner and criticised the state government.
During his visit, Mr Sinha blamed the ruling state alliance for what he described as contradictory postures, saying they first create problems and later attempt to provide remedies. The MLA said he would take up the issue with the deputy commissioner to seek relief for the residents, the report added.
“First, they cause the pain and then pretend to provide the cure. This will not work,” said Raj Sinha, according to the report.
Residents said they were unsettled by the uncertainty. Local resident Sarjania Devi told reporters that a former deputy commissioner had settled families in the area and that many households lack jobs or businesses. She questioned where families would go if their houses were demolished and urged authorities to consider their livelihoods before taking action.
“We have neither a job nor a business. If our house is demolished, where will we go with our cattle?” the resident said, according to the report.
Background and likely implications
According to the report, the families were relocated to Baramuri by the district administration in 2005. The administration's position that the land was allotted for cattle sheds — and that permanent houses and rental activity have since arisen — frames its intention to clear the area after a survey. The reported recovery of weapons has been cited by the administration as an additional rationale for action.
| Detail | Reported figure / year |
|---|---|
| Families relocated to Baramuri | 200 (2005) |
| Reason cited by administration | Land allotted for cattle sheds; permanent houses built; alleged illegal activity |
For residents, the practical consequences would extend beyond loss of shelter. Several families keep cattle, and the original allotment for animal shelters suggests livelihoods are tied to livestock. The absence of alternative housing, formal employment or clear compensation measures could deepen insecurity for those settled in Baramuri.
Mr Sinha's visit signals political attention to the matter. Whether the MLA's pledge to approach the deputy commissioner leads to an administrative reappraisal or negotiated solutions remains to be seen. The deputy commissioner's statement that a survey will precede any clearance indicates that the administration is framing the operation as procedural rather than immediate demolition.
As the situation develops, affected families will seek clarity on timelines, rehabilitation or regularisation options and any support for those who may lose homes. Local stakeholders, including elected representatives and the district administration, now face the task of balancing legal and regulatory imperatives with the humanitarian and livelihood concerns of long-settled residents.
Further updates are expected after the administration completes the survey and after any meetings between the MLA and district officials, as reported.
