Gope: An elderly couple of a family of Desthali village under Gope police limits in Puri district that was ostracised six years ago is presently living a wretched life, without getting any solace from either the police or district administration.
It was during 2013 when a controversy over the landed property of the village temple erupted between Ramchandra Das and the villagers. As Ramchandra and the villagers failed to reach a consensus, the villagers ostracised Ramchandra’s family. They were not allowed to take part in village fairs and festivals. Those farmhands who were working in Ramchandra’s farmlands were also asked not to work for him.
Meanwhile, Ramchandra’s three sons and their families are staying out of the village while the 72-year-old Ramachandra and his 58-year-old wife Swarnalata are staying near it.
Ramchandra has taken the matter up with the Odisha Human Rights Commission, the Collector, the superintendent of police, Gope inspector-in-charge, etc. but has so far received no joy.
Last week, Nayahat outpost in-charge-officer Santosh Kumar Sahu convened a meeting at the village to find out a solution to this six years long conflict. But it yielded no result.
Ramchandra said that the then Collector had directed Gope police station in a letter (Letter No-2569) to take immediate steps to solve the problem in the year 2015. But the police is doing nothing.
When contacted, Hrushikesh Barik, Chagali Nayak and some other villagers said what Ramchandra’s family has not been ostracised and there is not an iota of truth in his allegation.
But Nayahat OIC Adhikari Sahu said, “Efforts are on to find a solution to the rift and I hope a reunion would soon be achieved.”
PNN