3. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or any contract or agreement to the contrary, whenever any land recorded under the district settlement operation as land having any right or easement and now in possession of any person is needed or is likely to be needed for any public purpose or in public interest, the Deputy Commissioner may, with the prior approval of the Government, resume such land by notification in the official Gazette. (2) On the publication of the notification under clause (1), all lands specified therein, shall vest in the Government free from all encumbrances.