Murshidabad, 19 February (H.S.): West Bengal politics has heated up following the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Department's show-cause notice issued to Meera Sultana, wife of suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir.
The department has alleged that the category of 0.2 acres of land in the Beldanga area of Murshidabad district was changed without the permission of the competent authority.
The action was taken based on a collective petition received by the department. The notice states that the change in the nature and use of land violates Section 4C of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955. Under this provision, any tenant must obtain the Collector's permission before converting agricultural land to non-agricultural or other uses. The Collector has the authority to grant, deny, or set the effective date of the change in such cases.
The notice asks Sultana to respond within seven days as to why action should not be taken against her under Section 4D. According to the department, the land category was changed without following the prescribed procedure.
This entire matter has become sensitive because construction work on the proposed Babri Masjid in Beldanga has begun. This mosque is proposed to be built on the lines of the original structure demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. This project has been described as Humayun Kabir's dream project.
Humayun Kabir, former MLA from the Bharatpur assembly constituency, has questioned the timing of the notice. He alleged that this action was taken long after construction on the land had begun and development work was underway. Kabir termed it a conspiracy by the state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress.
He said that he had attempted to obtain a mutation certificate several times since the construction of the house, but the relevant officials did not consider it necessary. Now, after leaving the Trinamool Congress, this action is being taken against him out of revenge. Kabir clarified that he will respond legally and submit a proper counterclaim to the authorities.
Following this notice, a blame game has intensified in political circles. The opposition is calling it an administrative action and enforcing the law, while Kabir supporters are calling it an act of political vendetta.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
