Tamil Nadu village in panic over Waqf Property notice
Villagers in Kattukolai, Tamil Nadu, are alarmed by notices declaring their land waqf property, demanding rent or eviction. The 150 affected families, with valid ownership documents, have approached the Vellore district collector for protection and clear information. This incident echoes similar cases across the state, raising widespread concern.
Fear engulfed Kattukolai village in Anaiktu taluk of Tamil Nadu's Vellore district when the residents received a notification stating their land was designated as waqf property. This announcement has distressed approximately 150 families, who have been residing on the land for generations and making a living by farming it.
A notice was issued by a person named Syed Ali Sultan Shah, asserting that the village land was the property of a local dargah. The notice instructed the villagers to either leave their homes and land or begin paying rent to the dargah.
The villagers are stunned and concerned by this sudden demand. Numerous residents possess legitimate government documents verifying their ownership. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the villagers went to the Vellore district collector's office to request protection and clarification. They claim that this land is their sole means of livelihood and that losing it would leave them entirely jobless.
Hindu Munnani leader Mahesh also got involved in the issue, urging the administration to safeguard the villagers' rights. This case closely mirrors an incident from a few months ago in Thiruchendurai village, Tiruchirapalli district, where the Waqf Board claimed 480 acres of land, including a Chola Yung temple.
The locals were informed that they are not allowed to transfer their property without getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Waqf Board. These incidents are creating anxiety and insecurity among the villagers regarding the Waqf Board's claims throughout the state.