‘KIIT University not allowing us access to our own land!’

KIIT University in Bhubaneswar faces serious allegations of illegally occupying land belonging to locals. Numerous complaints have been filed, with the residents claiming their lands have been unlawfully occupied by the institution, even though these plots were legally purchased by them, sources said on Friday.

Also Read: PCC chief warns party’s Debasis Patnaik for ‘endorsing’ KIIT University

Several individuals have approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with grievances, alleging that their properties have been encroached upon by KIIT University over many years. This encroachment has prevented landowners from accessing their own plots, thereby causing significant distress and hardships.

Despite taking the alleged ‘land grabbing’ issue to different administrative authorities and police, the complainants assert that no resolution has been achieved to date.

Landowners allege against KIIT University

“We came (to the NHRC) mainly because they (KIIT) have constructed a boundary wall on a public road, due to which we are unable to access our land. A Jagannath temple built on a patch of land actually belongs to several persons. However, they (KIIT) have grabbed the land by paying nominal amounts to three to four persons. Despite others not agreeing to their (KIIT’s) plans, they built the temple on it without authorisation,” a victim resident said.

“We have a few more patches of land at the same location. A long wall constructed on the public road has restricted entry to our lands,” the elderly woman stated.

“Our land is located near the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), an institute of KIIT University. When we need to go to our land, we are denied access by security guards deployed by the KISS. Despite showing our documents in support of the purchased land, they (KIIT staff) do not allow us and we are harassed every time,” another victim land owner expressed.

Must Read: KIIT University row: Guilty will not be spared, says Odisha Law Minister

No comments were received from the varsity authorities.