Krushak Sangathan holds protest in Bhubaneswar alleging encroachment of Lord Jagannath land in Jatani

The members of the student wing of Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan and some residents of Jatani staged a protest in Bhubaneswar on Saturday alleging that Vedanta is involved in the land scam of Lord Jagannath. 

As per reports, the protestors also gheraoed the official residence of Odisha Revenue Minister in this connection.

They demanded that Lord Jagannath’s encroached land at Jatani should be registered in the name of the local people.

As per the allegation by the protestors, though the State government had given them assurance to look into the matter and take necessary steps in this regard, no step has been taken yet. As a result, they were forced to stage the protest in the State capital.

The protestors also issued warning to intensify their protest further in coming days if their demands are not fulfilled soon.

“Lands of Lord Jagannath at Jatani, Kusumati, Chhanaghara and Kantia have been encroached and those lands have not been returned even after 12 years. We demand the immediate return of the lands,” said a protestor.

“The land on which Jatani College has been built should be registered in the name of the college. Jatani College is not able to get any grant from UGC as the land has not been registered in the college’s name,” he added.

Police have reportedly arrested the protestors as they tried to break into the official residence of the minister by defying the security. Security arrangements have been tightened further following the incident.