Balasore: Odisha and West Bengal administration are at loggerheads again after the Odisha government Tuesday removed a signage installed by the neighbouring state’s irrigation department on a road leading to Udaypur-Sahabajipur sea beach in Bhograi block of this district.
Thus, the Odisha government has sent a strong message to the neighbouring state’s government regarding its adventurous attempt to encroach on the former’s land as the boundary dispute between the two states is persisting.
Tension erupted in the area after the district authorities started to remove the signboards in Bengali.
Six platoons of police have been deployed in the region to prevent untoward incidents. The authorities are also keeping a close watch on the situation.
Reports said a new controversy cropped up August 15, when the irrigation department of the West Bengal government installed signage showing the Digha Sea Beach, Protection and Beautification work by the roadside in Odisha.
Several organisations, intellectuals, people’s representatives and locals had built up pressure on the government to remove the illegal hoarding of the WB government inside Odisha.
The revenue minister had sent a letter to the Collector of East Midnapore and the irrigation department to remove the hoarding within 15 days. However, the WB government ignored the letter.
The district administration of Balasore decided to remove the signage and moved five platoons of police to the area before removing it with a hydra machine. Local people, members of Utkal Sammilani and intellectuals have welcomed the move.
Sub-collector Nilu Mohapatra, sub-divisional police officer Ramachandra Gouda, tehsildars of Jaleswar and Bhograi and several other administrative officials were present when the signage was pulled down.
PNN