Nawada, September 19, 2024 – A major land dispute in the Krishna Nagar Dalit Basti of Nawada district escalated into a violent confrontation on Wednesday night when miscreants set fire to around 80 homes in the colony, leaving the residents devastated. The accused not only torched the homes but also opened fire and assaulted the locals, plunging the area into tension.
According to initial reports, the attack began around 8 p.m. when a group led by Nandu Paswan allegedly stormed the Dalit colony in Dadour village under the Mufassil police station area. The colony’s residents, predominantly Dalit families, have been embroiled in a land dispute for years, with the matter currently being heard in court.
Residents recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that the attackers, numbering in the hundreds, started firing indiscriminately before dousing their homes with petrol and setting them ablaze. “They want to drive us away and seize the land,” said Laxminiya Devi, a resident who lost her home in the attack. The attackers also allegedly beat several villagers, adding to the chaos.
Bhim Army leader Vishal Chaudhary claimed that over 100 rounds of bullets were fired during the attack. The fire brigade was called in to control the blaze, but by the time the flames were extinguished, the straw-and-tile homes had been reduced to ashes, along with household belongings and livestock.
In response to the violence, police forces from five different stations were deployed to the village to bring the situation under control. So far, 15 people have been arrested in connection with the attack, with raids continuing to apprehend others implicated in the violence. Sunil Kumar, SDPO Sadar-2, reassured that the police are taking swift action to prevent further escalation. “Raids are being conducted to arrest those named in the investigation, and no one will be spared,” he said.
The root of the conflict appears to be a longstanding dispute over the ownership of the land on which the Mahadalit families have been living for over two decades. According to the villagers, the land belongs to the Bihar government, but Nandu Paswan and his associates allegedly sought to occupy and sell it. Gautam Paswan, a leader in the Mahadalit community, has been opposing these efforts, and tensions had been simmering for some time.
On the night of the attack, Nandu Paswan and his men allegedly arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. and began their assault, aiming to drive the Dalit families from the land. Despite the proximity of the local police station, residents expressed dismay that the attack could happen so easily and with such intensity.
The incident has sparked outrage among political leaders. Leader of Opposition Tejaswi Yadav condemned the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing it of neglecting the safety of Dalits in the state. “More than 100 houses of Dalits were set on fire in Nawada. Bihar is burning under the rule of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar. What do they care if the poor burn and die?” he said.
BSP supremo Mayawati also expressed her grief over the incident, demanding a strict inquiry from the Nitish government. In a post on social media, she urged the administration to take swift legal action against the perpetrators and to ensure the rehabilitation of the affected families.
BJP spokesperson Arvind Singh countered these claims, asserting that the state government is taking the matter seriously and is committed to delivering justice. “We are investigating the incident, and strict action will be taken against the culprits,” he said.
