A distressing instance of administrative indifference and illegal land encroachment has surfaced in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. An elderly couple, Usha Devi and Vinod, hailing from Dakhiniya village in Dhaurahra tehsil, have been forced to undertake an arduous journey to reclaim their land. Due to acute financial difficulties, the couple walked a distance of 55 kilometers barefoot to reach the District Magistrate office for the seventh time. Despite public pledges from the administration regarding stern action against land usurpers, this elderly pair continues to struggle for justice.
Allegations of Encroachment and Boundary Destruction
The victim, Vinod, explained that their neighboring residents, Dilip Kumar and Kamlakant, forcibly usurped their one bigha land holding. The accused allegedly destroyed the dividing boundary ridge separating the fields and merged the standing crops directly into their own plot. Left without crops or control over their property, the elderly couple appealed to multiple administrative tiers ranging from the tehsil headquarters to senior district officials. However, no concrete intervention has taken place. Unable to afford public transportation, the couple has no option but to travel the entire distance on foot.
An Eight Hour Barefoot Walk Starting at Midnight
Sharing her ordeal, Usha Devi stated that they leave their home as early as 3:00 AM without any footwear. After walking continuously for eight hours, they manage to arrive at the District Magistrate office in Lakhimpur around 11:00 AM. She noted that this was their seventh trip to the district headquarters seeking official help. Usha Devi specifically accused the local Kanoongo of neglecting his duties by delaying the formal survey and measurement of the land, which has enabled the illegal occupants to maintain control over the property.
No Resolution Despite CM Portal Grievance Submissions
The plight of the couple highlights significant systemic delays, as even online complaints lodged via the Chief Minister portal have failed to yield results. While governmental guidelines mandate strict crackdowns on land mafia activities across the state, such directives appear confined to official documentation within Kheri district. The couple continues their repetitive visits between the tehsil offices and the District Magistrate headquarters, waiting for revenue officials to execute the required land measurement and restore their lawful property.
