Prayagraj: As many as 58 new “land mafia” were identified and enlisted in Prayagraj division during a month-long campaign held from June 1 to 30 for effective resolution of land disputes and action against illegal encroachments on govt land.Of these, 18 were identified in Prayagraj, 15 in Pratapgarh, 21 in Kaushambi and four in Fatehpur.Senior police and administrative officials of all four districts reviewed the drive at a meeting held on Tuesday under the joint chairmanship of divisional commissioner Saumya Agarwal and IG, Prayagraj range, Ajay Kumar Mishra. The meeting also reviewed action being initiated under Section 14(1) of the Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.Officials said as of April 1, 2025, a total of 63 cases were pending in the courts of district magistrates across the division — 29 in Prayagraj, 18 in Pratapgarh, five in Fatehpur and 11 in Kaushambi.During the review period, 27 cases were disposed of, while 40 remained pending. The pending cases include 22 in Prayagraj, eight in Pratapgarh and 10 in Kaushambi. No case is pending in Fatehpur.After completion of proceedings at the DM level, 21 cases were forwarded to the Gangsters’ Court for further proceedings.Officials also said the process of reconciling discrepancies between police and administrative records regarding the list of land mafias available on the portal is nearing completion. A consolidated and verified list will soon be uploaded.Agarwal directed officials to coordinate with govt if any technical or administrative difficulties arise during the data-updating process, so that the task is completed within the timeframe.The meeting also reviewed the progress of the special verification drive against illegal encroachments on Nazul and other govt lands. Officials said re-verification of encroachments on land belonging to ponds and other water bodies is underway. Legal action is also being ensured against illegal encroachers as well as those involved in the illegal sale of govt land.Agarwal instructed officials to take factual, impartial and effective action by clearly distinguishing between actual land mafias and ordinary encroachers.Officials said state govt is committed to taking stringent action against land mafias and ensuring that govt land reclaimed from them is utilised for public interest.Senior officials directed that the entire process — from identification of land mafias to eviction, property attachment and other legal proceedings — be carried out in a transparent, time-bound and result-oriented manner.
