KEONJHAR: The district administration on Friday demolished the unauthorised constructions of Champua’s Independent MLA Sanatan Mahakud at Uchabali under Barbil tehsil.
Sources said a few years back, Mahakud had constructed a boundary wall for his camp office near Jagatjanani temple on Plot 28 of Khata Number 172, which comes under the mining lease area of Essel Mining and Industries Limited, in Uchabali mouza of Barbil tehsil.
Later, a voluntary organisation of Jajpur district had filed a case in the Orissa High Court seeking directions for making the land free of encroachment and the court passed a demolition order. Though the direction of the High Court was challenged in the Supreme Court, the apex court gave its verdict in favour of the petitioner. Following the verdict, the district administration launched the demolition drive on Friday.
In order to avoid any untoward incident, at least 25 platoons of police force, four Additional SPs, 13 DSPs, 15 Inspectors and eight executive magistrates were deployed. Later, Mahakud visited the spot but didn’t comment on the issue.
Collector N Thirumala Nayak, SP Kavita Jalan, ADM, Champua Sub-Collector and district level officials were present during the demolition drive.
Encroachers Evicted
Nimapara: Nimapara NAC authorities evicted 14 illegal constructions from government land here on Friday following a direction from Puri Sub Divisional Magistrate.
Executive Magistrate SS Mohapatra, NAC Executive Officer AK Mohanty, SDPO AK Jena and Nimapara IIC PC Sahu conducted the demolition drive. At least four persons were arrested for pelting stones at the police during the eviction. Civic authorities had issued eviction notices to more than 500 encroachers.