The future of hundreds of people living in Dakatara Banjari village is now in darkness.
A unique case of Dakatara Banjari village under Paralakemundi subdivision of Gajapati district of Odisha has come to light. The people of the village suffered a major setback when it came to know that the land on which they have been living for decades, the land has now been sold. This land was named after M. Chandrashekhar Rao, the famous landlord of Gajapati district, who has recently sold it. About 42 acres of land in the village, in which about 150 families have been living for the last several years, have now gone to the private buyer. Most of these people have neither land lease nor any documentary rights. Because of this, they are now living in fear of displacement.
What is the whole matter?
Dakatara Banjari village comes under Katlakitha Panchayat under Gosani block of Gajapati district. There are about 150 families living here, most of whom have settled here for many years and have also found houses under the Government Housing Scheme. There is also a government school in the village, drinking water pipeline, electricity connection is also present, which clearly shows that the government has also been recognizing the permanent settlement here.
The owner sold 42 acres of land
In the case, the owner of the land M. Chandrashekhar Rao has sold 42 acres of land. According to the information, this land has been purchased by a female buyer and has also started the occupation process. However, the district administration has clarified that, “The landowner has every right to sell his property. Further action will be taken under the mutation process.” The administration also said that no village settlement has been sold, but people do not find this assurance enough.
Villagers are pleading
The villagers are demanding that all the residents be given a legal lease of the land of their house. The houses built under government schemes should not be removed. The state government and the district administration intervene in this matter on humanitarian grounds and alternative measures should be taken to protect the entire village from displacement.
Watch the village video-
A villager Devraj Subbu, while narrating his agony, said, “The land of this village has been sold now. Where will we live now? We do not even have a lease. We have been living here since our grandfather’s era. We have pleaded with many but they sold the land but we have sold the land.
What did the District Collector say?
The Gajapati district administration has taken the issue seriously. The District Collector says that the matter is being investigated and whatever steps will be taken, they will be within the purview of the law. Please tell that this is not just a village case. There are thousands of villages in many states including Odisha where people have been living for years without lease of land. If the owner sells his land, then the biggest crisis of life arises in front of them. It is the responsibility of the government to find a quick solution in such cases so that the common people do not have to face tragedy like leaving home.
Dakatara Banjari village of Gajapati district has been hit by land dispute. The future of hundreds of people living there is now in darkness. The government and administration should intervene at the earliest and provide legal protection to such families, so that they can stay in their homes peacefully.
(Shubham Kumar’s report from Odisha)
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