Waqf Board Claims Entire Tamil Nadu Village, 150 Families Face Eviction
Kottukollai villagers in Vellore protest at collector’s office after receiving notices declaring their land as Waqf property
Tensions flared in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district after the state Waqf Board issued eviction notices to around 150 families in Kottukollai village, Anaikattu Taluk, claiming the entire village as Waqf property. The notices have sparked panic among villagers, many of whom say they have lived there for generations and possess legal documents for their land.
According to a report by India Today, the notice—issued by Syed Ali Sultan Shah—states that the land in question, under survey number 330/1, belongs to a local Dargah, and that all residents must vacate it immediately. The villagers, stunned by the development, staged a protest on April 15 outside the Vellore district collector’s office, urging the administration to intervene and protect their homes and livelihoods.
“We have been living here for four generations. Our ancestors farmed this land. We even have patta documents issued by the government,” said a resident during the protest.
Hindu Munnani leader Mahesh, who joined the villagers, demanded clarity from the district authorities. “If there is a claim, the government must investigate thoroughly. The administration should issue patta to the residents and protect their right to live peacefully,” he told reporters.
The controversy is the latest in a series of land ownership disputes involving the Waqf Board in Tamil Nadu. With mounting legal complexities and heightened public sentiment, officials now face pressure to address the issue transparently and prevent further unrest.
As of now, the district administration has not issued an official statement on the matter. Villagers remain camped outside the collectorate, seeking assurances that they won’t be forced to vacate the land they’ve called home for decades.