Man climbs mobile tower alleging discrepancies in land mutation; CM orders probe

Hazaribag: In an unlikely protest, a 28-year-old man climbed a nearly 85-ft-high mobile tower in Hazaribag district on Friday and threatened to end his life, alleging corruption and claiming his land was mutated in another person’s name. Later, chief minister Hemant Soren directed deputy commissioner Hemant Sati to enquire, ensure strict action is taken if allegations are true, and submit a report.Vikas Kumar, a resident of Kathi village in Chatra district, climbed the mobile tower at Banadag in Hazaribag at around 6 am.Standing atop the tower, Vikas, who works at the Banadag NTPC siding, said, “I have been visiting the office for the last six months. If my mutation is not done today, I will jump from here and end my life.”He also threw down a poster listing his problems and demands. Vikas said he owns around five acres of raiyat land in Phatah village under Katkamdag circle and had applied for mutation. He alleged repeated visits to the circle office for five to six months brought only assurances and procedural objections. He alleged circle officer Satyendra Narayan Paswan rejected his application and the plot was entered in another person’s name, with a receipt also issued, though he purchased the land in 2014.He claimed officials admitted an error after checking documents, including a 1926 deed, but records were not corrected. Vikas also alleged the change was made without spot verification and said he paid money to a person named Ranjit to get the work done.Villagers gathered, protested and blocked the road briefly. Officials tried to persuade him over phone, but he demanded Paswan come to the spot. Paswan later reached the site; after talks and assurances, Vikas came down at 2 pm.Paswan denied the allegations, saying records would be examined. On X, Hemant also directed all deputy commissioners to ensure mutation cases do not remain pending beyond stipulated timelines.