Police in Pratapgarh district have arrested four individuals for allegedly attempting to forcibly encroach upon land designated as ‘Karbala’ in the Ranjitpur Chilbila area, officials announced on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning near the Chilbila Flyover along the Ayodhya–Prayagraj highway, where a group reportedly led by Vijay Maurya arrived at the disputed site with two JCB machines and began leveling the land, igniting protests from local residents.
Panic ensued around 9:30 to 10 am following reports of the encroachment attempt. Members of the Karbala Committee, including women, rushed to the scene to oppose the actions, alleging that they faced assault, intimidation, and misconduct against women during the confrontation, further heightening tensions.
Alerted to the situation, police teams from four police stations, led by Circle Officer (City) Prashant Raj Hudda, alongside ASP (East) Shailendra Lal, SDM (Sadar) Nancy Singh, and Nagar Kotwali SHO Mohammad Ibrar Ansari, responded to the incident. Officers from Dehat Kotwali, Kohandaur, and Antu police stations were also deployed. The police managed to bring the situation under control, seizing the two JCB machines and taking several individuals into custody.
Haider Ali, president of the Muharram Committee, filed a complaint that led to a case being registered against the accused under various sections related to assault, rioting, hurting religious sentiments, creating communal tension, and outraging the modesty of women.
Later that evening, police apprehended Vijay Maurya, Vishal Maurya, Anoop Shrivastava, and Ankit Jaiswal. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the land dispute has its roots in a long-standing legal case involving local resident Ramshiromani Pandey and the Karbala Committee concerning the burial of Tazia near Baracha village, a matter that has previously sparked tensions and necessitated administrative intervention.
Officials from the district administration emphasized that the situation remains sensitive but under control, with strict vigilance deployed to avert further escalation. The heavy police presence temporarily caused traffic congestion on the overbridge, but normal conditions were restored shortly thereafter.
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