Ranchi, Nov. 18: On the second day of the tribal land restoration drive, the district administration covered the Kanke circle today.

The drive has been initiated keeping in view the directives of the special area regulation (SAR) court.

Four tribal families got possession on their ancestral plots in Kanke circle where restoration drive started at around 11am and continued throughout the day.

Kanke circle officer, Deepak Kumar, said the four plots which were set free from illegal possession today were located in Chandwe, Chori, Sundil and Simalia locality of the circle. “The illegal occupants put some resistance, but We did not have any problem in carrying out our work,” he added.

There are 26 plots in the Kanke circle area, which have to be restored on the direction of SAR court. Officials said that out of these, eight have been handed over to their legal owners so far while the remaining 18 plots are pending either due to stay order from higher court or due to construction of big structures on them, which would require use of force and equipment.

The restoration drive will continue tomorrow in Namkum circle.

Sub-division officer, Manoj Kumar, said that list of the plots have been sent to circle officers of the concerned area directly from SAR court and sub-division will help circle officers only when any law and order problem arises, which has not come to fore so far.

According to Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, land of tribal owners in Chhotanagpur can not be purchased by a non-tribal. Further, a tribal can not purchase land of other tribal owner going outside his police station area. The disputes related with tribal lands are settled in SAR court.