BHUBANESHWAR: A shocking incident has emerged in Malkangiri district of Odisha, involving the alleged encroachment of approximately 100 acres of forest land in the Motu area. Islam Nagar has been constructed on this encroached land, raising suspicions of complicity among local authorities. This incident occurred during the previous BJD government’s tenure, prompting concerns about possible collusion and misuse of power.
Islam Nagar has been illegally established on forest land just 2-3 km from National Highway 326, surrounded by dense forests along the Saberi riverbank. The construction process involved building a mud road, and erecting wire fencing.
A road was constructed to access the area using government funds allocated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme, with over ₹9 lakh spent on its construction. The project began on April 25, 2022, and a signboard on-site reveals alarming details about this illicit endeavor. This situation raises serious questions regarding the misuse of government resources and potential collusion between officials and encroachers. While the MNREGA scheme aims to provide employment and infrastructure in rural areas, in this case, it appears to have been exploited for illegal purposes.
The construction of buildings and roads has involved the appropriation of forest land, and large ponds have been excavated through various initiatives funded by the state government’s fisheries and agriculture department.
In Islam Nagar, not only have substantial buildings been erected, but warehouses have also been constructed. Furthermore, large transformers have been installed by the electricity department, and JCB machines and tractors are frequently seen parked in the vicinity. Lift irrigation projects have also been implemented here, funded under the irrigation department’s scheme.
This construction work has been financed through multiple government programs, raising concerns that the entire initiative may have been orchestrated with the complicity of the administration.
Local activist Diwakar Pal from the Vishva Hindu Parishad, along with BJP youth leader Manik Chakraborty and Hindu Jagran Manch activist Bhagirathi Dalei, have alleged that this act occurred during the tenure of the Biju Janata Dal government. They assert that Islam Nagar was established through the illegal seizure of forest land, with the government’s knowledge and direct support.
There is inconsistency in statements from government officials regarding the illegal occupation of this land. The local Tehsildar classifies it as a protected forest, while the local forest department ranger categorizes it as a revenue forest, with each official shifting the responsibility for addressing the illegal occupation onto the other. In response, local residents are calling for action to be taken.
