Gujarat: Illegal property of Haji Traya demolished following his minor son’s assault on two elderly farmers

In a recent development in Bhachau, Kutch, a series of events involving a minor Muslim teenager’s violent actions against elderly farmers has prompted the local administration to take decisive action against encroachment on government land, attributed to the teenager’s father.

The incidents, which occurred a few days ago, saw the minor accused of attacking two elderly farmers over what was described as a trivial dispute. The farmers sustained serious injuries in the altercation, prompting community outcry and demands for justice from Hindu organisations.

Subsequently, complaints were lodged against the accused’s father, Haji Amad Traya, and his brother for allegedly encroaching on government land in Shikarpur village. Responding to public pressure and these complaints, the Bhachau Taluka administration initiated an investigation into the matter. (Video of the demolition drive can be seen here)

After a thorough examination, officials identified the encroachments on government land linked to Haji Traya. Taking swift action, the administration, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the site on Friday, March 1, with bulldozers to dismantle the illegal structures.

Present at the scene were various officials, including the Tehsildar, Taluka Development Officer, Extension Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel, along with a sizable police contingent.

According to reports, the accused’s father, Haji Traya, had constructed two encroachments on the land. While one structure was demolished during the operation, the other remains subject to ongoing litigation, with a court-issued stay order preventing its removal.

The actions against Haji Traya come in the wake of escalating tensions sparked by his minor son’s violent behavior. Just fifteen days prior to the land encroachment incident, the minor was involved in assaulting two elderly farmers in separate incidents.

In one incident on February 15th, 2024, 55-year-old Bhavanbhai Patel was viciously attacked while working in his field, sustaining fractures in both hands and one leg. Similarly, on the same day, the minor assaulted a 65-year-old man in Naransari village after a disagreement over grazing goats, resulting in injuries to the farmer’s hand.

Despite being arrested for these offences, the minor accused was later granted bail, fueling public outrage and demands for stricter punishment. The subsequent action against the encroachment by his father signifies a broader response from the authorities to address the underlying issues contributing to such incidents in the community.