Boinda: Massive land grabbing by mafias has left Boinda town under Kishorenagar block in Angul district with little space to build office buildings or carry out development projects.
Encroachments are on the rise at Boinda Chowk, the business hub of Athmallik sub-division. Due to its proximity to National Highway-55, people are interested to buy lands near Boinda Chowk.
Cashing in on it, the mafia and middlemen have been selling government lands at throwaway prices, Rs 50,000 a ‘gunth’. These land sharks carry out their business in connivance with staff in the revenue department.
They have allegedly grabbed plots no 1047, 1114, 365, 1169, 1170, 367, 376, 365, 67, 367, 670 and 979 in Nunukaposhi area. Similarly, government lands under Kadalimunda, Saradhamunda, Baishnabasahi and Boinda Chowk mouza have been encroached upon. Besides this, the canals that connect to Chandan tank have been under encroachment.
Protesting against encroachment, Boinda villagers had lodged a complaint with the District Collector and revenue secretary April 10, 2016 and August 18, 2018 respectively.
In 2020, Boinda revenue department identified 252 such people who have squatted on government lands. Notices were also served on them, asking them to deposit fine. Of them, 35 persons deposited fines amounting to Rs 53,000.
The Boinda villagers alleged that no action has since been taken against them. Expressing concern, Bhagaban Gheewala, a resident of Nunukaposhi, said the land mafia has not even spared village cremation grounds and pasture lands.
It’s time the administration took steps to get the lands free from them. Or else, the problem would become more serious in coming days, the locals said.
Pointing out the problems arising from illegal encroachment, sarpanch, Jaladhar Sahu said, “Besides other problems, the encroachment has given rise to waterlogging. Since rainwater failes to drain out, it creates water-logging problem.
When contacted, Boinda revenue inspector Anand Chandra Sahu said the plots under encroachments have been identified. The process to demolish the illegally constructed buildings is underway.
Contacted, tehsildar Shanti Swarup Mishra said, “We will soon launch an eviction drive against encroachers. People having encroached upon water canals and drains will be identified and then booked.”
PNN