A land dispute in Lalwala village under Deoband police station limits in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district turned violent on Saturday, leaving several people injured and triggering tension in the area.
According to members of the Bahujan community, the dispute concerned nearly two bighas of land that they claimed had been forcibly occupied earlier. They alleged that fresh construction work was underway on the land, prompting local Dalit-Bahujan residents to protest.
During the protest, reports of firing and violent attacks allegedly emerged from the side accused of occupying the land. Several people were reportedly injured in the incident.
Local media reports 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.
Allegations of Police Lathicharge
The situation reportedly 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 has said that police forces were deployed to prevent further clashes and maintain peace.
Chandrashekhar Azad Stopped by Police
On Sunday, Nagina MP and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was scheduled to visit Lalwala village to meet the injured and the 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 criticised both the alleged land encroachment and the police action.
“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 wrote on social media.
Bhim Army Demands Action
Azad further alleged that when Dalit residents protested to protect their land rights, they were attacked and fired upon.
“But 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,” he said.
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.
“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,” he warned.
Police officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations of brutality made by Bhim Army and local residents.
