Jharkhand: Around 200 women locked in Ranchi shelter amid land dispute with owner

Around 200 female residents of a women’s hostel in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have been locked inside by a local strongman over an ongoing land dispute. The shelter’s dining room has also been forcibly closed, leaving stranded women without access to meals.

The incident took place at Saraswati hostel in Tharpakhna area, where tensions over ownership of the property have risen.

The hostel land was originally purchased from Ajay Kachhap, who passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After his death, Kachhap’s widow, identified as Lali, claimed that the original asking price was insufficient and is demanding additional payment from the hostel management.

Reports indicate that Lali’s associates repeatedly closed the shelter and ceased operations when their demands were not met. This time, they locked the students and staff inside the premises, trapping even the hostel cook in the mess hall.

The neighborhood has expressed its concern about the riotous actions that are openly taking place, while the local authorities have yet to intervene or take action on the matter.