Despite CM's Stern Warning Against Land Mafias, No Action Yet: 200 Families Allege Encroachment and Attempted Sale of Durga Puja Ground in Agartala Jogendranagar
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, August 1, 2026
Serious allegations of land grabbing and an attempt to sell a long-standing community Durga Puja ground have surfaced in Agartala's Jogendranagar area, raising fresh concerns over the alleged activities of land mafia despite repeated warnings by the Chief Minister against illegal land dealings.
Nearly 200 families of Abhijit Palli in Jogendranagar have accused an influential land syndicate of attempting to illegally occupy and sell a vacant plot that has been used for community Durga Puja celebrations for the past 25 years. The residents staged a protest demanding immediate intervention by the administration and strict action against those allegedly involved.
Residents further alleged that the same land mafia network has illegally prepared forged ownership documents for numerous small government land plots across Jogendranagar, Anandanagar, Renters' Colony, Kazi Nazrul Islam Colony and Janata Colony before selling them to unsuspecting buyers. According to the protesters, the racket has been operating for years with the alleged involvement of several lawyers from Agartala and government employees posted in the local tehsil offices.
The aggrieved families said the disputed land has hosted the locality's annual Durga Puja for nearly 25 years without any ownership dispute. However, a private party has recently claimed ownership of the land and allegedly initiated steps to sell it, triggering widespread outrage among residents.
The protesters specifically named Jiben Dey and Sujit Dey, alleging that they, along with their associates, have been involved in land brokerage and disputed land transactions in Jogendranagar, Anandanagar and surrounding localities for several years. They claimed that many genuine landowners have faced difficulties in selling their legally owned properties because of the alleged influence of the syndicate.
The residents further alleged that the group has been creating forged ownership documents for government land and fabricated powers of attorney and other fake records relating to private land to facilitate illegal land transactions. They claimed that numerous plots have already been sold through such fraudulent documentation.
According to the protesters, the alleged land mafia has continued its activities even after the change of government. They further alleged that, despite the Chief Minister's repeated warnings and assurances of strict action against land mafias, no effective crackdown has been carried out. They claimed that with the support of certain unscrupulous individuals, a section of the administration and influential persons, the network has become even more active.
Questioning the legality of the present ownership claim, residents asked how a plot that has been used for public religious purposes for over two decades could suddenly be claimed as private property and put up for sale without first establishing its legal ownership through a proper inquiry.
To safeguard the land and preserve the tradition of the community Durga Puja, the residents said they have submitted written complaints to the local administration, elected representatives, the Ward No. 29 office and Booth No. 45. They have demanded a fair and impartial investigation, immediate suspension of any attempt to transfer or sell the land, and strict legal action against those found responsible if the allegations are substantiated.
The issue has generated considerable tension in the locality. As of now, no official response has been issued by the administration regarding the allegations. Residents are urging the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, verify the ownership status of the land, and take prompt action to curb alleged land mafia activities in the area.
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