Itkhori Block

Overview

Chatra district forms a part of the Upper Hazaribagh Plateau, Lower Hazaribagh Plateau and northern scarp. Located at an elevation of about 450 metres (1,476 ft), the general slope of the district is from north to south. Red laterite acidic soil predominates in an area that is primarily dependent upon rain-fed agriculture. Around 60% of the district is covered with forests. The district has a population density of 275 persons per sq km. Around two-thirds of the families in the district live below poverty line. In the extreme south of the district some portions of Tandwa CD Block are part of North Karanpura Coalfield.

Maoist activities

Jharkhand is one of the states affected by Maoist activities. As of 2012, Chatra was one of the 14 highly affected districts in the state. 5 persons were killed in Chatra district in 2012, but Maoist activities, such as arms training camps and organisation of ‘Jan Adalats’ (kangaroo courts) were on the decline. As of 2016, Chatra was identified as one of the 13 focus areas by the state police to check Maoist activities.

Location

Itkhori is located at 24°17′49″N 85°9′18″E.

Itkhori CD Block is bounded by Chauparan CD Block, in Hazaribagh district, in the north, Mayurhand CD Block in the east, Gidhour CD Block in the south and Kanhachatti CD Block in the west.

It is located 35 km from Chatra, the district headquarters and 16 km from Chauparan on NH 19.

Area

Itkhori CD Block has an area of 160.60 km².

Physical features

The Mohana flows through Itkhori CD Block.

Gram panchayats

There are 12 panchayats and 159 villages in Itkhori.

Gram panchayats of Itkhori CD Block/ panchayat samiti are: Koni, Dhuna, Itkhori, Tonatanr, Dhankheri, Pitij, Halmata, Saharjam, Malakpur, Parsuni, Nawada and Karni.

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Itkhori CD Block had a total population of 74,929, all of which were rural. There were 37,869 (51%) males and 37,060 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 13,516. Scheduled Castes numbered 17,882 (22.37%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 338 (0.42%).

Itkhori village had a total population of 7,121 as per 2011 census.

Literacy

As of 2011 census the total number of literates in Itkhori CD Block was 41,775 (62.90% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 24,276 (78.43% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 17,499 (47.24% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 31.20%.

As of 2011 census, literacy in Chatra district was 60.18% Literacy in Jharkhand (for population over 7 years) was 66.41% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.

Languages

Magahi is the local language in Chatra district. Nagpuri, Khortha, Hindi and Urdu are also spoken in the region.

Education

Krishnaballabh Sahay High School is famous there. Land for this school was donated by Parmeshwar Dayal who was lanlord of Dhuna Village. Approx 1,000 students study in this school. There is land measuring 601 katha which is used as a play ground. It was donated by a Dhuna resident.

Culture

Lord Buddha is said to have sat for meditation at Itkhori. There are various Buddhist relics at Itkhori dating from 200 BC to 1200 AD. The Bhadrakali temple was built in the 9th century AD. The remnants of the past reflect a superior quality of workmanship. There are some links to the Jain Teerthankar, Sheetalnath.