Maoist-free Abujhmad holds first land survey since Independence

In the Konge village of Abujhmad, a region long dominated by Maoist insurgents, a significant shift is underway. For the first time since India's independence, revenue officials are conducting a formal land survey, a process that promises to bring thousands of residents into the formal land records system.

This initiative aims to map the vast, previously un-demarcated area and assign unique identification numbers, known as Khasra numbers, to individual land parcels. Once completed, this will enable tribal residents to legally buy and sell their land, integrating Abujhmad into the state's revenue map.

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After independence, as far as I know, attempts were made to conduct a land survey first in 1991 and then in 2013 and 2017. It was not successful because of Maoist presence. In 2019, the state government decided with IIT Roorkee to conduct the survey, but it could not be carried out because of Maoist violence. Now, we are carrying out that survey.

Previous attempts to conduct such surveys in 1991, 2013, and 2017 were thwarted by Maoist activity. A 2019 plan with IIT Roorkee also failed to materialize due to violence. Now, administrative officials report that the survey is proceeding, utilizing a mobile application developed by IIT Roorkee for data collection and cadastral map generation.

The process involves technical data collection, cross-verification by revenue officials, and a public scrutiny phase where villagers can raise objections. Following the resolution of disputes and community consultations with local leaders, the final land records will be uploaded to the state's Bhuiyan portal. Officials acknowledge that success hinges not only on technical expertise but also on the crucial support of local representatives and traditional tribal leaders.

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The support of local representatives and traditional leaders is crucial as members of the tribal community