In Araria district, Bihar, the Johat registration office has seen a complete halt in land registrations for the past two days since the paperless registry system was implemented on August 18. Scribes and clerks are on strike in protest against the new digital system, demanding the reinstatement of the old paper-based registration process.

Protesters, including villagers, argue that physical proof is essential for important documents like land deeds. They are finding it difficult to understand the digital procedures involving OTPs, fingerprints, digital signatures, and online documentation, especially the less educated individuals from rural areas. Concerns have been raised about how their documents will be secured after registration and how proof will be obtained in the future.

Mohammad Rahman, a scribe at the Johat registration office, stated that while it is their responsibility to work according to the government's new system, the safety and convenience of the general public should also be considered. Villagers like Ashiq Ilahi highlighted the lack of awareness regarding digital processes and fears of cybercrime. They question how land proof will be accessible if mobile phones malfunction, SIM cards are changed, or PDFs/links are unavailable, advocating for a system that includes both digital and physical proofs.

Since the implementation of the new system, the number of people coming for registration has significantly decreased, and many who do visit the office are confused by the digital process. The registration work in Johat remains suspended, and it is yet to be seen when this deadlock will be resolved.