Big Relief for Bangladeshi Refugees: Yogi Govt Grants Land Ownership to Over 2,000 Families in UP

In a landmark move, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to grant legal land ownership rights to 2,196 refugee families from former East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who have been living in 25 villages across Pilibhit district for over six decades.

These families, displaced during the 1960s and settled under government rehabilitation schemes, were given land for housing and agriculture but never received formal ownership, leaving them ineligible for many government welfare benefits.

Yogi Adityanath’s Directive Brings Long-Awaited Justice

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a directive to concerned departments to initiate the legal transfer of land to these families. Officials say the process will begin immediately once final guidelines are received from the state.

After a wait of more than 62 years, this initiative will bring long-awaited legal recognition to refugee families who have spent generations cultivating and residing on these lands.

Verification in Progress

According to District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh, the verification process has already been completed for 1,466 families, and their documents have been sent to the state government for approval. The remaining families are currently undergoing the verification process.

Refugees from villages in Kalinagar and Puranpur tehsils—including Tatarganj, Bamanpur, Baila, Siddh Nagar, Shastri Nagar, and Nehru Nagar—will benefit from this initiative.

Praise from Local Leaders and Ministers

The decision has received strong support from local leaders. Pilibhit Minister-in-Charge Baldev Singh Aulakh thanked the Chief Minister, calling the move a "bold and compassionate step" toward justice.

BJP district president Sanjeev Pratap Singh and former district panchayat member Manjit Singh also welcomed the announcement, calling it a historic recognition of the sacrifices and struggles endured by the refugee families.

Why This Matters

These refugee families, who migrated in the aftermath of India’s Partition and during political unrest in East Pakistan, have faced generational uncertainty due to a lack of land ownership. This decision not only brings legal rights but also opens the door to financial inclusion, welfare schemes, and improved livelihood opportunities.

The final land ownership documents are expected to be distributed soon, marking a transformative milestone in the lives of these long-neglected families.