The name Mohammad Masoom Khan has emerged in connection with the illegal occupation of approximately 100 acres of forest land in the Motu area of Malkangiri district, where he has reportedly constructed Islam Nagar. It is alleged that Khan has built a substantial empire unlawfully, allegedly with the protection and encouragement of the then BJD government. Furthermore, there are claims of collusion between Masoom Khan and the Biju Janata Dal. In light of these revelations, the Malkangiri division of the forest department has initiated an investigation.
Masoom Khan is believed to have strong ties with senior BJD leader and former MP Pradeep Majhi. Khan has been actively involved in various political events organized by the Biju Janata Dal, and photos of him attending these events have recently gone viral on social media. His pictures with former MP Pradeep Majhi are also circulating online. However, Pradeep Majhi has not yet commented on the matter.
Local BJP leaders in Malkangiri assert that occupying a hundred acres of forest land, clearing trees, and constructing large high-rise buildings cannot happen without political support. Additionally, they argue that building a road under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, constructing a large reservoir with funds from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, and installing a significant transformer by the Electricity Department would also require political backing. They claim this extensive illegal activity has occurred with the full protection and encouragement of the Biju Janata Dal, particularly former MP Pradeep Majhi. For political reasons, the administration has overlooked these actions, providing support and cooperation in this illegal endeavor. With the change in government, we urge Mohan Majhi’s administration to initiate a high-level investigation into this matter and take strict action against those responsible.
BJP state spokesperson Anil Biswal, in a conversation with the organiser, stated that the issue at hand revolves around land jihad. He emphasized that the BJP governments in Uttarakhand and Assam have clearly taken a firm stance against land jihad and are implementing strict measures. Biswal noted that the Odisha government will also adopt a similar policy as that of the BJP governments in Uttarakhand and Assam.
He expressed concerns about a long-term strategy being developed to illegally occupy forest land in a primarily tribal area to establish Islamnagar. He assured that the interests of the tribal people will be protected under Mohan Majhi Govt. Furthermore, he pointed out that this incident highlights that both BJD and Congress, despite their claims to advocate for tribal interests, are, in reality, anti-tribal.
On the other hand, following the media coverage of this issue, the forest department has taken action. Priyanka Mahuka, the Assistant Conservator of Forests in Malkangiri district, stated that upon receiving the complaint, the local ranger was notified and instructed to conduct an investigation and submit a report. Further action will be determined based on the findings of the local ranger’s investigation.
A shocking incident recently emerged in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, where approximately 100 acres of forest land in the Motu area are allegedly being encroached upon. This encroached land is now home to Islam Nagar, raising suspicions of complicity among local authorities. The incident took place during the tenure of the previous BJD government. 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 involved building a mud road and erecting wire fencing.
