Yogi Adityanath Directs Legal Land Ownership for Families Displaced from East Pakistan
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
LUCKNOW: In a major step towards ensuring long-overdue justice to displaced families, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed state officials to formulate a comprehensive, time-bound strategy aimed at providing legal land ownership rights to people who were displaced from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) decades ago and resettled across various districts in the state.
Describing the initiative as much more than an administrative formality, the Chief Minister said the move represents a long-awaited recognition of the immense struggle, perseverance, and hardships endured by thousands of refugee families who were forced to flee their homeland in the aftermath of partition and resettle in India.
He emphasized that this initiative is not just about land ownership—it is about correcting a historical injustice and upholding values of social justice, compassion, and national duty.
Background of Displacement and Resettlement
Between 1960 and 1975, the Government of India undertook a resettlement drive to rehabilitate refugees from East Pakistan, many of whom had escaped persecution and instability.
These families were relocated primarily to the Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh, including districts such as Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri, as well as western UP districts like Bijnor and Rampur.
While many families were given agricultural land and housed in temporary camps during the initial phase of resettlement, over 10,000 families continue to face a major impediment—they have not been granted legal titles to the land on which they have lived and worked for decades.
Legal and Administrative Bottlenecks
According to officials familiar with the matter, several complex legal and bureaucratic issues have prevented formal land ownership from being granted.
These include cases where land records still classify parcels as belonging to the Forest Department, incomplete documentation regarding land transfers, and the absence of physical possession certificates for many families.
In several villages, it has been observed that families who were initially resettled have lived on the land continuously, cultivated it, and even built permanent houses.
However, their names remain missing from official land records, thereby depriving them of legal ownership and associated rights. On the other hand, in some cases, the original allottees have long since left the area or passed away, further complicating the legal landscape.
Additionally, certain individuals who were resettled from other states or regions, or those who took possession of vacant land informally, are also trapped in legal uncertainty due to a lack of official documentation and proper transfer procedures.
CM Yogi’s Directive: A Humanitarian Imperative
Taking serious note of these irregularities and delays, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has now taken personal initiative to rectify the situation. He has directed that land records across affected regions be immediately updated and verified.
“This should be seen not as a routine land transfer, but as an act of national responsibility and social justice,” the Chief Minister stated during a review meeting.
“These families have waited far too long. They have contributed to our state’s development and have earned the right to dignity and security through legal recognition of their homes and fields.”
He also added that where the original allotted land is no longer available—due to encroachments, administrative errors, or changes in land classification—the government should promptly arrange for suitable alternative plots, ensuring that no eligible family is left out of the process.
Future Roadmap and Commitment to Rehabilitation
Senior government officials are now expected to create a detailed roadmap for the identification, verification, and legal allocation of land to affected families.
The process will include field surveys, verification of residence and cultivation records, and coordination with departments like Revenue, Forest, and Rural Development.
The government’s renewed focus on this long-standing issue reflects not only a desire to provide legal entitlements but also a commitment to strengthening the social fabric and ensuring justice for all communities.
As the process unfolds, affected families across UP’s Terai and western districts are hopeful that their decades-long wait for legal recognition will finally come to an end.
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