Encroachment of 490 bighas of land belonging to SEZ Authority

Birgunj (Parsa), May 1: Encroachment of public land has been found rife in Madhes districts as well. Lately, it was shared that the Simara-based Special Economic Zone (SEZ) also faced encroachment of 490 bighas of land it owned.

Huts and houses are built in the SEZ land, creating a temporary settlement.

The SEZ Authority had 833 bighas of land, but it is limited to 343 bighas of land where various industries and factories are being built. But, remaining space is captured by the illegal settlers who have built huts and even engaged in farming.

Site in-charge and engineer at SEZ Authority, Pappu Giri, informed that the farmers have engaged in cultivation, but encroaching upon Authority’s land. So, process has been forwarded to remove the illegal huts. The SEZ Authority wrote to Jitpur Sub-Metropolis, the District Administration Office and the District Police Office, Bara to facilitate and coordinate in clearing the structures, occupying the SEZ land. 

The concerned people were already requested to remove the structures raised in the SEZ land. They were also reminded not to cultivate the land further and evacuate the property, he added. Giri, however, said coordination was being made with government offices for necessary action.

According to sub-engineer at the Authority, Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, 93 labourers, who were initially the employees at Birgunj Sugar Mill, came to settle here after the Mill was closed. They were provided six katthas of land per house. He further informed that local government and administration had given words for evacuating the settlements from the encroached land.

More than 600 households are occupying the space, while SEZ Authority has five blocks.

Chief District Officer in Bara, Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, said the authority was ready to ensure peace and security to recover the encroached land to the SEZ Authority. “Both the Authority and the Home Ministry have requested for coordination and facilitation to evacuate the land”, he said.