Bhitamati Adhikar Manch seeks protection of Lord Jagannath land

Members of Bhitamati Adhikar Mancha on Saturday staged a protest outside Niladri Bhakta Niwas over the meeting of Srimandir Management Committee. 

Even heavy rain failed to dampen the spirit of agitators who were seen preventing a vehicle of Endowment Commission from entering the meeting venue. Also, they came down heavily on Srimandir chief administration and prevented its officials from taking part in the meeting.

They protested in front of the vehicle of the Commission.  The meeting was supposed to start at 10.30am but it was delayed due to the protest. 

According to the outfit members, in 2003 the state government had framed a unified policy to settle land which is occupied or is under possession of unscrupulous elements, but actually belong to Lord Jagannath. But the state government is yet to implement the policy which is why they are suffering. As they have no land, they are being deprived of government benefits. Even, they are yet to be issued caste certificate and domicile certificates. They have to run from pillar to post to avail government benefits in the absence such certificates.

Despite their repeated requests to take steps to protect Lord Jagannath’s land and make them encroachment-free, their requests are yet to be heard.