Land dispute turns violent in Odisha’s Puri: 2 shops, equipment worth lakhs destroyed 

A private dispute over government land in Puri district escalated into a violent confrontation late last night as a shop owner, identified as Kedar Rout, allegedly demolished two neighbouring shops using a bulldozer.

The incident occurred at Madarang Market under Gop police limits, impacting the long-standing properties of local shopkeepers Jatadhari Sahu and Prahallad Sahu from nearby Bantuli village. According to reports, the attack destroyed not only the structures but also goods worth lakhs of rupees, leaving the affected families devastated.

Assault Carried Out While Shopkeepers Asleep

Eyewitness accounts suggested that the demolition took place while Sahu and others were asleep in their shops.

Kedar Rout reportedly brought several local goons to the site and forcibly demolished both properties. Furniture, stock, and interiors were destroyed, causing extensive financial and emotional losses.

Scuffle With Police During Arrest

Police action began this morning when officers arrived to apprehend Kedar Rout. A violent scuffle broke out between his family members and law enforcement personnel, further complicating the situation.

The police eventually took Rout into custody and seized the JCB machine used in the demolition. Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, including inquiries into others who may have assisted in the attack.

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Longstanding Land Dispute at the Heart of Conflict

The violent episode is rooted in a long-standing conflict over government-owned land at Madarang Market, where the two families had been running shops for many years.

Sources indicate that repeated attempts by Kedar Rout to intimidate the rival shop owners had been ongoing for years. Previous tensions reportedly involved verbal confrontations and minor altercations, but the latest attack marks an unprecedented escalation.

As of the last reports, police officials confirmed that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and that steps are being taken to document property damage, identify accomplices, and determine accountability for the attack.