Illegal Encroachment: Eviction drive launched at former BJD MLA Pranab Balabantaray’s farmhouse in Jajpur

The Jajpur district administration on Tuesday launched an eviction drive at a farmhouse allegedly linked to former BJD MLA Pranab Balabantaray at Panturi under Dharmasala tehsil in Jajpur district over alleged illegal encroachment of government land.

Tehsil authorities began the operation by deploying heavy machinery, including a JCB, to demolish boundary walls constructed on the disputed land. A strong police force was deployed at the site to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the eviction process.

According to official sources, boundary walls had been constructed over a total area measuring 12 acres and 88 decimals. Of this, around 1 acre and 10 decimals were reportedly identified as encroached government land. The administration stated that the action was initiated to clear the unauthorized occupation in accordance with due legal procedure.

Sources further informed that a goat farm had been established within the enclosed premises. During the drive, portions of the boundary wall and certain structures located on the encroached land were demolished.

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Officials maintained that the eviction was carried out after proper verification of land records. “The eviction is underway. As per the records, 1 acre and 10 decimals of land will be brought back into government possession. This is an ongoing process and will be completed today,” said Gagan Bihari Das, Additional Tehsildar, Dharmasala.

The administration has indicated that further action will be taken as per the findings of the land record verification process.