Gujarat
,
Meghavadia
,
Botad
Published :
Dec 2024
|
Updated :
October 20, 2024
In Gujarat's Meghavadia, Maldharis protest to save grazing land from mafias
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai, Anmol Gupta
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
248
Households affected
1398
People affected
Year started
40
ha.
Land area affected
248
Households affected
1398
People Affected
Year started
40
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Land Use
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Ended
Sector
Land Use
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Land Use
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Ended
1
Summary

In Meghavadia village of Gujarat, the Maldharis have been protesting for the past three years against the illegal occupation of 40 hectares of "gauchar" (or grazing land) by a mafia.

The Maldharis have been demanding the government authorities to take action against the land mafias who have restricted their access to the grazing land, on which they depend on for their livelihood.

Despite numerous appeals, authorities failed to address the issue, prompting the Maldharis to stage a unique and dramatic protest to draw attention to their plight. Frustrated with the inaction, the villagers took their cattle to the Taluka Panchayat office of Gadda and released around 300 to 400 cows in the office as a sign of protest.

The cattle herders and landlords were initially not allowed to enter the compound of the building, however, they forcibly opened the gate and sat down in the premises of the office and raised slogans. Following which, the Taluka Development Officer heard their concerns and assured them of an amicable solution within ten days. 

According to a report by Divya Bhaskar, the administration started process to remove the encroachment in July.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Type of Land

Common

Non-Forest (Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Author
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Suchak is an independent researcher.
Show more work
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

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