Land mafia attacks National Bravery Awardee in Yogi’s Uttar Pradesh

The Yogi-Adityanath led government can make tall claims about the reduction in crime in Uttar Pradesh, but criminals are ruling the roost on the ground. The Agra-based Nazia Khan, who was awarded the National Bravery Award just this March, has been beaten mercilessly by land mafia goons.

This is the same Nazia Khan who was given the bravery honour by the President of India, and whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also met.

Nazia had gone to the Additional District Magistrate, Agra, with a complaint regarding the illegal occupation of her family land in Tajganj area. Later, Nazia said, she had gone to the disputed land after being asked to go there by the ADM. Once she reached there, she was attacked by goons who were at the site. She was accompanied by her brother and both were beaten up by the goons with iron rods. They were bleeding profusely.

Immediately, the police arrived on the spot and Nazia Khan was admitted to the hospital for treatment. According to SP (City) Kunwar Anupam Singh, a case has been registered on the basis of the complaint filed by Nazia Khan.

Nazia's brother Raja said that their uncle had rented a land in Tajganj to Kripal Verma, who was allegedly trying to take control of the land and began to illegally construct buildings. Nazia’s family had filed a complaint and the matter is already in court. Nazia had gone to the ADM to complain about the same issue.

“The accused Kirpal Verma said that the ADM had given him permission for construction. When a matter is in the court, how can a local administration give permission for it,” asked Raja. Singh said a case has been file against all accused including Kripal Verma. The police will take strict action, said Singh.

There has been an increase in attacks on women in Uttar Pradesh. Rolly Tiwari Mishra, a member of the Women's Commission, says, “This situation is embarrassing and puts the law and order in the state under scanner. At the local level, there has been a stir over this incident and the administration of Agra has to be questioned. At the moment, Nazia Khan has been admitted to Agra District Hospital.”

Nazia Khan is a resident of Mantola. She first came into limelight when she was studying in Class IX in 2015 because she had helped prevent the abduction of a 7-year-old girl child in her school. She had also gotten into a fight with the abductors to save the child. The Uttar Pradesh government rewarded her with Rani Lakshmibai award for her bravery. After this, she came in news for campaigning against gambling and drug trafficking in her area. Soon after, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured her.

In a program organised in the state capital, Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also praised her. She was also appointed as a special police officer by the DGP of Uttar Pradesh, who had posted a selfie with her and had called her an inspiration for all girls.

Attempts were made to contact the ADM for his response, but he hasn’t responded so far.