The case of pond theft in Darbhanga, Bihar was not completely stopped overnight when the news of disappearance of another pond gave sleepless nights to the administration. The latest case is Man Pokhar located at Mirgias Chak in Darbhanga city. Which is also recorded in the government account. According to the law, neither anyone can sell nor buy it. Despite this, the land mafia is filling this pond spread over 65 acres and selling it. When the members of the Save the Pond campaign complained about this to the District Magistrate, the criminals also beat up the complainant.
The pond is spread over 65 acres
Actually, this reservoir known as Man Pokhar was formerly a burst stream of Bagmati River. Which is known by the local people by three names: Man Pokhar, Dhobia Pokhar and Koyla Man Pokhar. This Man Pokhar starts from Maheshpatti and goes to Gidharganj via Dumduma. This pond is spread over 65 acres. In ancient times, people around this place used to enjoy the cool breeze of this pond along with the Kanchan Pani Hilor during summers. But gradually the water of this pond started becoming dirty. Taking advantage of this, the land mafia started filling it and selling it. Today, big concrete houses have started coming up in many parts of Man Pokhar.
Member of Save Pond Campaign complained
A member of the Save the Pond campaign said that on January 8, he had complained to the District Magistrate about land mafia filling the pond and selling it. Just 48 hours after the complaint, the miscreants attacked him. However, he survived this attack. After the attack, he met senior officials of Darbhanga and requested for safety of life and property.
He told that he has contacted Sadar and Bahadurpur zonal office several times regarding the sale of the pond land. They complained at both the places because this pond falls in both the zones. But no results have emerged yet. Mentioning the names of some people in his application, he has said that among the nominated people there are influential people who have good reputation in the administration. The result of which is that the pond is being secretly sold and a building is being constructed on it.
What did Sadar SDPO say?
Darbhanga Sadar SDPO Amit Kumar said that action has been taken in the case of attack on a member of Save Pond Campaign. An FIR has been registered against the criminals under relevant sections. During this incident, the criminals ran away leaving two bikes on the spot. He has been seized and brought to the police station. Further action is being taken after finding out the details of the bike.
He said that if a case of encroachment on government land or pond comes to light, then strict action is taken against it. Recently, a case of filling of pond near Neem Pokhar of University police station area came to light. In which the district administration has taken action and worked to bring the pond back to its old form.
What did the District Magistrate say?
Darbhanga District Magistrate Rajiv Roshan said in this context that as far as encroachment of public land is concerned. The order of the Honorable High Court is also very clear in this regard. If anyone fills public ponds and ponds, action will be taken by running a campaign under the Public Land Encroachment Act.
He said that under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan, the Bihar government is determined to free the ponds and ponds from encroachment on priority basis. Whenever information is received about it. We run a campaign to free it from encroachment. He said that as far as the assault on the applicant of Man Pokhar is concerned. An FIR has been lodged in the police station in this regard and Darbhanga police is taking appropriate action.
Report- Suraj, Darbhanga