Odisha admin evicts illegal settlers in Nilagiri

The Nilagiri administration has carried out an eviction drive to remove illegal encroachment by people from West Bengal who had been occupying land along the Defence Department’s Nilagiri Radar Road. The action was taken after authorities found that the occupants were residing on the land without legal permission.

According to officials, notices had been served to the encroachers one month ago, asking them to vacate the land voluntarily. Despite the warning, the occupants continued to stay on the premises, prompting the administration to take strict action.

“We have been living here for the past 15 years. I spent seven years in forest areas and the last five years here. If we are evicted from this place, my children’s future will be thrown into uncertainty,” said Indra Das, an encroacher. 

“We cannot say that they are Bangladeshi. However, as per our preliminary inquiry, some migrant workers had come here from the Kharagpur area,” said Shubhashree Rath, Sub-Collector, Nilagiri.

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Joint Eviction Drive

On the day of the operation, the Nilagiri Tahsildar, Sonam Das, along with police personnel, reached the site and carried out the eviction. Illegal structures and houses built on the encroached land were demolished, and the area was cleared.

Encroachers Express Concern

Following the eviction, the displaced occupants raised concerns about their future. They questioned where they would go during the cold winter season and expressed anxiety over the future of their children after losing shelter.