CHANDIGARH: In Mirzapur village of Majri Block under the Kharar Assembly constituency, the land mafia is leveling village hills and forest land, carving out plots and farmhouses, and selling them illegally. This was stated by senior Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vineet Joshi, who, upon being called by the villagers, inspected the site along with Majri Mandal President Mohit Gautam and witnessed the destruction of the forest and hills.
He said the land mafia is so influential that despite restrictions on tampering with hills, they are cutting them down and filling soil into the seasonal drain/cho to create access roads for illegally sold farmhouses and plots. In the process, the natural course of the stream is being altered, and roads are being constructed by disturbing the natural landscape.
Ignoring departments such as GMADA, Mining, Forest, Wildlife Protection, Revenue Department, Panchayat and Rural Development, and the Police, the accused are leveling hills and uneven land to sell farmhouses and plots. Wild grass, reeds, and trees are being cleared, and iron fencing is being installed to prepare the land for sale, while government officials remain silent.
Joshi stated that the land being sold is “Mushtarka-Malkan” (joint ownership land), meaning it is collectively owned by multiple shareholders. There are approximately 500 shareholders, and the land has not yet been legally partitioned. Government records do not clearly specify which portion belongs to which shareholder.
Residents of village Mirzapur have submitted complaints of fraud to the area SHO, DSP, SSP, and other authorities, but the Punjab Police has taken no action.
Joshi alleged that the silence of the DC Mohali, SDM Kharar, Tehsildar Majri, Kanungo Majri, and the Patwari of village Mirzapur indicates possible collusion between officials and the land mafia. He demanded that if there is no such nexus, the civil administration must take immediate action and arrest the accused based on the complaint filed by villagers on May 20, 2025.