Context: Violence erupted in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani district after the administration conducted a demolition drive at the illegal site of a mosque and madrasa, allegedly on Nazool land, killing five and injuring many more.

What is Nazool land?

• Nazool land is owned by the government but most often not directly administered as state property.

• The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.

• In case the lease term is expiring, one can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the Revenue Department of the local development authority. The government is free to either renew the lease or cancel it — taking back Nazool land.

• In almost all major cities of India, Nazool land has been allotted to different entities for a variety of different purposes.

• Usage: The government generally uses Nazool land for public purposes like building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc.

• Legislation: The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956 is the law mostly used for Nazool land adjudication.

Emergence of Nazool land

• During British rule, kings and kingdoms which opposed the British frequently revolted against them, leading to several battles between them and the British Army.

• Upon defeating these kings in battle, the British would often take their land away from them.

• After India got Independence, the British vacated these lands. But with kings and royals often lacking proper documentation to prove prior ownership, these lands were marked as Nazool land — to be owned by the respective state governments.