Bihar’s Bettiah Villagers Seek Lease Rights Amid Eviction Notices for 355 Families Living on Historic Land for Generations

In a sad turn of events, around 355 families in the Bhitha block of West Champaran district, Bihar, are facing eviction from their ancestral homes. The local administration has ordered them to leave the land that they have lived on for over 125 years, which is owned by Bettiah Raj. This has left many families in distress and uncertainty.

The villagers, including individuals like Rampratap Baitha and Gaurishankar Gupta, claim that their ancestors were given this land long ago. Now, they are being labeled as “encroachers” and are at risk of losing their homes. This sudden action has created a lot of fear and confusion among the residents.

A major issue for these families is the lack of proper documentation. Many of their old papers were destroyed in floods and fires over the years. The zonal administration is asking for proof of residence from 125 years ago, which is nearly impossible for anyone to provide.

The affected villagers are feeling desperate as they have invested their entire life savings in building their homes. They have expressed that if they are forced out, they will have nowhere else to go. They are urging the government and Bettiah Raj officials to show compassion and either lease the land to them or allow them to settle it through an auction.

The local administration has stated that the decision to evict or support the villagers lies with the Bettiah Raj Manager. The Bhitha Circle Officer has mentioned that they are just following orders and that the final call rests with the manager regarding the villagers’ fate.