Bhumi Sena


Bhumi Sena was a private army which operated in India between the late 1970s and mid 1990s. Bhumi sena drew its membership from youth of Kurmi Origin.
Bhumi sena was much feared in Patna and also had influence in Nalanda, Jehanabad and Gaya region of Bihar, India.
The growth of private armies, or Senas, began in the late 1970s as a response of the landlords to the growing strength of the Left extremist groups.The members of influential backward castes like Yadavs and Kurmis formed "Lorik Sena" and "Bhumi Sena" respectively in resemblance to upper castes viz. Bhumihars and Rajputs who formed Ranvir Sena and Kuer Sena.

History

Bhumi sena was formed by Mahavir Mahto, a Kurmi landlord and his associates in the wake of "land grab campaign" in Bihar.The growing consciousness among landless labourers about their rights and the mobilisation of these people by Communists as well as Shoshit Samaj Dal of Jagdeo Prasad Kushwaha led to rise of Dalit leadership under Singhwa, a member of untouchable Dusadh caste.
Singhwa mobilised the landless Dalits against the tyranny of 'Mahavir Mahto', his triumph over Mahto was seen by Kurmis as a threat to "Kurmi pride".
This incident led Kurmis to unite and in the most notorious incident of Nalanda district, the Singhwa and his group was brutally overthrown.The men of Bhumi Sena then assassinated all of them.The incident took place at Belchhi village.Later, Indira Gandhi visited and met Dalits which helped her return to power in centre due to wide sympathy of Dalits with her.