Removal Of Encroachments Up To 75 m From Srimandir's Meghanad Pacheri Begins

Puri: After removal of unauthorised structures adjacent to Meghanad Pacheri of Puri Srimandir in the last few days, the district administration has begun razing of encroachments up to 75 metres from the boundary wall of the shrine on Tuesday.

Marking Languli Mutt building as unsafe, the administration has evicted shops and other establishments around the mutt’s premises while demolition of the mutt will also be undertaken. Before the eviction drive, the shopkeepers in the premises of the mutt building had to vacate their stores with lot of hassles.

Meanwhile, security arrangements in and around the Srimandir have been tightened to avoid any untoward situation during the mass eviction. At least 30 platoons of police forces have been deployed in the city and 21 magistrates are also present on the spot. Odisha Swift Action Force (OSAF) personnel have also been engaged to maintain law and order in the city.

On the other hand, some locals had staged a demonstration on Badadanda yesterday protesting the move of the administration. They alleged that the administration took up the eviction drive without providing rehabilitation to them.

“We were not even given a night to vacate our shops. The government assured that the affected people will be compensated as well as rehabilitated, however, no officials from the administration has come to us with any help,” said an evicted shopkeeper.