A Palestinian once remarked that unlike the theft of personal objects, which can be sold to faraway buyers or hidden, this is not possible with land. There is a constant reminder that that land over there has our ancestors footprints on its every inch. There it stands as a torturous reminder about which nothing can be done. I do not believe that analogies are always accurate and do not want to belittle the huge plight of the Palestinians. Nevertheless, this is the sort of feeling many people from Mirpur and its Dadyal sub-district now feel with land theft on the rise.
Various factors have colluded to create demand for premium land. This includes plans to raise the dam and a general demand from British Mirpuris keen to build palatial residences. Into this mix fall some very archaic land laws, which include various levels of ownership, occupation and land use. Throw in venal politicians from all parties and none and you have the making of a society not too different from the wild west.
The most pernicious factor in this mix are corrupt land administrators, known as patwari, and politicians. The former are all too happy to fill their pockets with backhanders and the word patwari is almost a swear word often used as a synonym for dishonesty in general. The latter are keen to reward loyal supporters and those who spend money on their campaigns; they have very few scruples about playing with land that does not belong to them – as if it is their personal fiefdom to distribute as they wish.
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