Land grab allegations surface against BJD MP Manas Mangaraj; Khordha Collector assures action

Serious allegations have emerged against Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJD leader Manas Mangaraj, accusing him of forcefully occupying land belonging to poor and helpless villagers in Khordha district. 

Residents of Dikshitpada under Kuhudi area in Tangi tehsil have alleged that the BJD MP used threats, police intimidation, and government influence to forcibly take possession of land they had held for generations.

According to the villagers, Mangaraj allegedly purchased six acres of land at nominal rates while unlawfully occupying an additional six acres of government land. Several locals report being coerced into relinquishing their land under pressure, with some claiming that elderly family members were summoned to police stations and harassed into compliance.

Villagers' allegations

"The land belonged to my father Madhu Behera. However, he (Mangaraj) asked me to leave the one acre land. I told him that it is actually five acres of land," said Ranka Behera, a centenarian resident of Dikshitpada.

"They broke the wall at night and accused us of breaking it. Subsequently, they lodged complaints against us at the police station. The police threatened us to relinquish the land otherwise cases will be registered against us. We were forced to provide him the land as he was in power," rued Dusasana Behera, another resident of Dikshitpada.

The land in question now houses a sprawling poultry farm registered under 'Mangaraj Poultries Private Limited', reportedly established in 2012. The facility includes three massive poultry sheds with a combined capacity of over 90,000 birds and an associated feed production unit. While poultry farming itself is not prohibited, concerns have been raised over the alleged unauthorized occupation of government property for commercial gain.

"He (Mangaraj) forcefully bought six acres of land at nominal prices. Rest of the government lands have been encroached upon," said Dukhishyam Behera, another resident of Dikshitpada.

"As he was a powerful man, he forcefully took the land from us and we could not do anything," said Ranju Behera, another resident of Dikshitpada,

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Despite mounting accusations, Mangaraj has not issued an on-camera response. However, when contacted over the phone, he denied any wrongdoing and asserted that no government land has been encroached upon.

Investigation demanded

In response to the allegations, Right to Information (RTI) activists have called for a transparent investigation into the alleged land grab.

"The local residents whose lands have been taken away should lodge complaints and subsequently, the government should launch an investigation into the incident," said RTI activist Pradeep Pradhan.

Meanwhile, the Khordha district unit of the BJP has demanded a high-level probe into the matter, including immediate land survey and verification at the disputed site. 

"The matter should be taken seriously and a high-level inquiry should be initiated into the incident. Stern actions should be taken against the culprits," said Dushmant Harichandan, General Secretary of Khordha district unit of BJP.

Responding to the growing public outcry, Khordha District Collector stated if specific complaints are received, a thorough investigation will be carried out, and appropriate action will be taken as per the law.

"The government has certain rules and policy that any kind of encroachment will not be tolerated. We will definitely take actions in case of any kind of grievances," said Khordha Collector Chanchal Rana.

As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are now on the administration to determine whether an inquiry will be initiated and what course of action will be taken if the allegations against the powerful MP are substantiated.