THE UNFINISHED TALE OF SURAUNDHA COLONY’S REHABILITATION

THE UNFINISHED TALE OF SURAUNDHA COLONY’S REHABILITATION

12-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------"We have homes, but on paper, they still do not belong to us..." This is the lament of families living in Suraundha Colony—located within the Koilwar Nagar Panchayat of Bhojpur district—who were resettled here after being displaced from Suraundha Island (Suraundha Tonk) following the devastating floods of the Son River in 1972. Five decades have passed. Governments, officials, and public representatives have changed, yet these families have still not received ownership rights to the land they have inhabited for three generations.

In 1972, the water level of the Son River rose so drastically that Suraundha Island, spanning approximately 1,000 acres, was engulfed by floods. Around 250 families were forced to abandon their homes, fields, livestock, and the earnings of years to save their lives.

The administration launched a relief operation to evacuate the people safely and resettled them in Koilwar. This resettlement site is known today as Suraundha Colony.

Suraundha Colony is not merely a resettlement settlement; it is also an example of social harmony. Families from the Mallah, Bind, Koiri, Dusadh, Chamar, and Yadav communities reside here in large numbers. Additionally, about 60 Muslim families live here. For years, all these communities have lived together, keeping the settlement's social and cultural identity alive.

Supari Lal, who is championing the cause of the people of Suraundha Colony, states that he has conveyed their grievances to the Circle Officer's office, the Block office, the District Magistrate (DM), MLAs, MPs, ministers, and even the then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his 'Samadhan Yatra' (Resolution Journey) to Bhojpur.

He has lodged complaints with authorities ranging from the District Public Grievance Redressal Officer to the Divisional Public Grievance Redressal Authority. A hearing on the matter took place as recently as June 19, yet no resolution has been reached to date.

He says that for years, the people have been making a single demand: that they be granted legal ownership of the land upon which the government settled them. However, even after five decades have passed, this demand remains unfulfilled.

Supari Lal, now over 60 years old, says his greatest wish is for the government to grant him ownership rights to that five-decimal plot of land, so that the next generation can truly call the house their own.

Shyam Prakash, around 50, recalls being a child when his parents first arrived here. Today, his own children have grown up, yet the issue of home ownership remains unresolved.

“If some people settled under the same scheme can receive these rights, why can’t the others?” – Shyam Prakash

The land at Suraundha Colony lies at a much lower elevation than the surrounding area. Consequently, the entire colony gets submerged during the monsoon season; an adequate drainage system has never been established. Locals say that politicians arrive with promises during elections, but once the polls are over, the colony is left to fend for itself.

The displaced residents did not merely build homes; they also set aside land for a Kali temple, a Shiva temple, a Hanuman temple, a shrine for Goraiya Baba, and a community center.

Land was also allocated for a primary school. Today, a five-room school operates here, serving around 300 students with a staff of 14 teachers. Given the rising number of students, villagers are demanding additional classrooms.

In this regard, Priyanka Kumari, the Executive Officer of Koilwar Nagar Panchayat, stated that applications from the residents of Suraundha Colony have been received at the assistance camp.

She mentioned that the relevant records have been requisitioned from the Land Acquisition Office. Once the documents are verified, appropriate action will be taken in the interest of the displaced residents, in accordance with the rules.

The floodwaters receded long ago, yet the look of anticipation lingers in the eyes of the people of Suraundha Colony. This battle is not merely about five decimals of land; it is a fight for dignity, identity, and a right—one for which not just one, but three generations have worn out their soles making rounds of government offices.

It remains to be seen whether this saga of rehabilitation, left incomplete for five decades, will ever reach a conclusion, or if the residents of Suraundha Colony will pass on this same struggle as a legacy to the fourth generation.