Uttar Pradesh: Dalit-Bahujan Land Dispute in Lalwala Turns Violent; Bhim Army Alleges Police Brutality
A land dispute in Lalwala village, located in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, turned violent on Saturday, resulting in multiple injuries and heightened tensions in the area. The conflict centered on nearly two bighas of land that members of the Bahujan community claimed had been forcibly occupied earlier. They alleged that fresh construction was being carried out on this land, prompting local Dalit-Bahujan residents to protest.
During the protest, reports emerged of firing and violent attacks allegedly from the side accused of occupying the land. Several people were reportedly injured in the incident. Local media described the matter as an old land dispute linked to tensions between Thakur and Dalit communities, reportedly involving disagreement over the installation of a Maharana Pratap statue.
The situation worsened after police arrived at the spot. Members of the victim's side accused the police of using force against protesters. According to locals, police carried out a lathicharge in which women, children, and elderly people were also injured. Several people were reportedly seriously hurt during the police action. Following the violence, heavy police deployment was made in the village to maintain law and order, while tension continued in the area.
The administration stated that police forces were deployed to prevent further clashes and maintain peace. On Sunday, Nagina MP and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was scheduled to visit Lalwala village to meet the injured and affected families. However, he alleged that the administration stopped him at his residence in Chhutmalpur. According to reports, a large police force was deployed outside his house to prevent his movement.
Calling the incident an attack on the Bahujan community, Azad strongly criticized both the alleged land encroachment and the police action. He wrote on social media that the land of Bahujan Samaj in Lalwala, which was earlier forcibly occupied and where construction work is now being carried out, is not only an encroachment on land but also a direct attack on the constitutional rights of the Bahujan community. Azad further alleged that when Dalit residents protested to protect their land rights, they were attacked and fired upon.
He stated that the most shameful thing is that the police, who are responsible for security, were seen committing atrocities. The police lathicharge was so barbaric that even women, children, and elderly people were not spared. Tagging Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Azad demanded immediate action against both the alleged encroachers and the policemen involved. He demanded the arrest of those accused of illegal occupation, suspension of police personnel allegedly involved in the assault, registration of a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, compensation and medical treatment for the injured, and protection for affected families. He warned that if action is not taken soon, the matter will echo from the streets to the House and the Bahujan community will be forced to fight decisively for their rights. Police officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations of brutality made by Bhim Army and local residents.