A longstanding land dispute in East Burdwan took a tragic turn on Monday afternoon when a 45-year-old man attempted self-immolation in front of Bhatar police station.
The man, identified as Sushant Dutta, resorted to this extreme measure in protest against the authorities' classification of a pond as government property, despite his claims of legal ownership.
Following the incident, Dutta was rushed to Burdwan Medical College Hospital in a critical state, suffering from severe burns across his body. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was later transferred to Kolkata for advanced medical treatment. Doctors have described his condition as precarious, with little certainty regarding his recovery.
According to Dutta’s family, he had legally purchased the pond in Kulchanda Mouza, Bhatar, with all necessary land registry documents in his name. Since 2019, he had been engaged in fish farming on the property.
However, complications arose when the authorities declared the pond to be government land, effectively barring him from further use. Dutta had filed a case in court to contest this claim, but the matter remained unresolved, causing immense distress.
On the day of the incident, Dutta informed his family that he was heading to the market. Instead, he proceeded to Bhatar police station, where he doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire near the main entrance. Police personnel on duty acted swiftly, using blankets to extinguish the flames before rushing him to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Bhatar’s Land Reform Officer, Pradeep Mandal, stated that official records confirm the pond as vested government land. “His act of self-immolation is unrelated to the dispute. He appears to be trying to pressure the land department. As per our records, the pond is government property,” Mandal asserted.
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However, Dutta’s family strongly refuted this claim. His brother, Tapas Dutta, insisted that the dispute remains unresolved and accused the authorities of failing to address their legal concerns.
“The Block Land and Land Reforms Office (BLRO) is also involved in this matter. We have taken the issue to court, but no resolution has been reached. My brother felt helpless and saw no other option. If the administration does not cooperate, where else can we turn?” he questioned.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion over property rights and land ownership disputes in the region. Legal experts have pointed out that cases involving contested government land can take years to resolve, leaving affected individuals in prolonged uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the local administration has assured that a thorough investigation into the case will be conducted. Authorities have urged citizens to seek legal avenues rather than resort to extreme measures.
The tragic event has put the spotlight on land disputes in West Bengal, raising concerns over the transparency and efficiency of land records management. As Dutta battles for his life, his family continues to seek justice, hoping for a resolution to their long-standing struggle.
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