Patna: A joint operation by Patna Police, Special Task Force (STF) and District Intelligence Unit (DIU) thwarted an alleged attempt by land mafias to forcibly occupy disputed land near Bairiya Bus Stand under Ramakrishna Nagar police station area. At least 17 criminals were arrested during the operation, and illegal firearms and ammunition were seized from their possession.According to police, Ramakrishna Nagar police station received a tip-off on July 5 that some land mafias, along with notorious criminals from different police station areas, had assembled with illegal weapons to forcibly take possession of two disputed plots measuring 31 katthas and 16 katthas in the Jakkanpur area. The group was allegedly planning to build boundary walls and create a law and order situation while taking possession of the land.Acting on the intelligence, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the leadership of SDPO (Sadar-II) Rajan Kumar on the directions of Patna SSP Karikeya K Sharma.Addressing reporters here on Monday, Patna (East) SP Shaileja said police had received credible intelligence about an armed attempt to grab the disputed land. “Acting swiftly, the team carried out raids at multiple locations and arrested 17 accused. Eleven of them have serious criminal antecedents. During the operation, three country-made pistols, four live cartridges, three SUVs, 15 mobile phones and one keypad phone were seized,” she said.Based on the complaint lodged by Ramakrishna Nagar SHO Hemant Jha, an FIR has been registered against all the accused.The disputed property is owned by a woman identified as Sridevi. Police said the land has been embroiled in a prolonged ownership dispute after a land agreement was executed with former Dighwara mukhiya Shailesh Sav, a transaction that was later challenged by Sridevi’s brother. Investigators believe rival groups were preparing to take control of the land when the police intervened.Among those arrested are Vikas Kumar (22) of Punpun, whom police described as one of the key operatives in the conspiracy, and Mohammad Alam (21) of Adalatganj. The remaining accused belong to Patna, Nalanda, Rohtas and Dhanbad districts.The SP added that interrogation of the arrested accused has revealed the possible involvement of more individuals in the conspiracy. “Police teams are conducting follow-up raids to trace and arrest the remaining suspects, while further investigation into the alleged land-grabbing racket is underway,” she said.
