Farmers clash with police over 30-bigha land in Hooghly, CPI(M)-led protest halts eviction drive

A confrontation broke out on Saturday in Hooghly district’s Dadpur block as police and administrative officials attempted to take possession of approximately 30 bighas of land in Moulgram mouza, under Babanan Gram Panchayat. The land was originally allotted on patta to 177 individuals during the Left Front government in 1994. Since then, these patta holders have been cultivating the land. The district administration, acting on court orders, has made repeated efforts to reclaim the land, facing continued resistance from local residents. This marked the fourth failed attempt to enforce the court directive.

As the officials, including the Polba-Dadpur Block Development Officer, reached the site with a large police force, the patta holders surrounded them and began protesting. The protesters blocked access to the land, preventing any official action. They were joined by members of the CPI(M)’s Krishak Parishad, who also took part in the demonstration. Protesters carried party flags and placards. CPI(M) leader Bonya Tudu led the agitation and stood alongside the farmers during the standoff. Administrative officials were once again forced to return without executing the court’s eviction order.

According to the villagers, they have been farming the land since receiving patta rights and consider it their source of livelihood. They objected to the eviction attempt, claiming there was no prior engagement or alternative arrangement discussed by authorities. The administration has not issued any public statement regarding the standoff or the next steps in the implementation of the court order.