Ganjam villages lock horns over farming rights on government land

Tension prevailed high at Batagada and Samantarapur of Odisha's Ganjam district after villagers of the two villages attacked each other over farming rights on a government land.

According to sources, residents of Batagada village have been farming on approximately 25 acres of government land. However, this did not go well with the villagers of Samantarapur, which triggered the violence.

The Samantarapur villagers strongly claimed, “This is our land; we have the right to cultivate it,” and protested against the farming activities by Batagada residents. Tensions escalated as both communities laid claim to the land, raising concerns about potential clashes.

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Authorities were alerted to the situation, and local police, along with administrative officials, promptly arrived at the site to mediate between the two communities. Efforts were made to explain legal ownership and usage rights to the villagers in order to prevent the dispute from turning violent.
Residents from both villages have been advised to maintain peace while the administration evaluates the situation.

Officials have assured that the matter will be resolved in accordance with the law and that necessary steps will be taken to prevent any further escalation. The intervention of the police and administration has helped in maintaining calm at the disputed site.

The incident highlights ongoing issues related to government land usage and the importance of clear demarcation and local consensus in resolving such conflicts.