Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Arjun Munda Links Jharkhand Land Conversion to Rising Crime
Arjun Munda said changes to tribal farmland are helping cause more crime in Jharkhand.
He said special constitutional rules protect land in certain Scheduled Areas.
According to him, some land was changed for housing and other uses without following those rules.
He pointed to buildings near Jamshedpur as examples.
He also said development may be harming tribal communities and an elephant corridor.
Munda blamed the state government for allowing these activities.
He asked the government to investigate and publish a report.
The report presents his allegations and does not include a response from the state government.
BJP leader Arjun Munda blamed changing tribal agricultural land for Jharkhand’s law-and-order problems.
He alleged the JMM-led state government was violating protections for Scheduled Areas.
Munda said land-use changes should be allowed only for industrial purposes under the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act.
He cited residential complexes in Dobo and Kapali as examples of allegedly illegal development.
Munda demanded a white paper, accountability for officials, and demolition of buildings violating Scheduled Area rules.
- Who
- Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda.
- What
- Munda linked alleged illegal conversion of tribal agricultural land to rising crime and law-and-order problems.
- When
- Monday, September 28; the year was not specified in the report.
- Where
- Jamshedpur and other Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand, including parts of Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
- Why
- Munda said land-use changes were violating constitutional protections, affecting tribal rights, and contributing to disorder.
- Speaker
- Arjun Munda, senior BJP leader and former Jharkhand chief minister
- Main allegation
- Conversion of tribal agricultural land is contributing to rising crime
- Legal provision cited
- Article 244 of the Constitution and protections for Scheduled Areas
- Land law cited
- The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act
- Examples cited
- Multi-storied residential complexes in Dobo and the conversion of Kapali into an urban area
- Demand
- A state white paper, investigation of responsible officials, and demolition of buildings allegedly violating Scheduled Area rules
- Other concern
- Construction near the Swarnarekha catchment and Dalma foothills allegedly affects an elephant corridor