Finally after 25 years, the Keonjhar district administration on Friday swung to action to evict Champua Independent MlA Sanatan Mahakud’s sprawling camp office built on a huge patch of Government land at Uchabali under Barbil tehsil.
As many as 25 platoons of police forces were deployed to avoid any law and order situation. The drive was undertaken in the presence of Keonjhar Collector N Thirumalla Nayak, SP Kavita Jalan and other officers.
The administration acted upon the direction of the Supreme Court that had ordered to evict the five acres of forest land encroached by Mahakud since 1980. Mahakud had tried to take control of the property by building a temple on the land and claiming it to be a religious site. The massive office building of the Jagat Janani Seva Trust, founded by Mahakud, was also constructed on the land.
His doghouse and cow and goat sheds (all air conditioned), guest house, meeting rooms and office room were demolished on the first day.
Hundreds of his supporters gathered at the site apparently to protest the eviction work could not succeed as the District Magistrate imposed Section 144 of the CrPC till 500 metre and deployed a large number of police forces around the eviction site.
“The Government and the court are acting against the sentiments of Hindus by demolishing a Hindu worshipping site. If such attitude persists, Hindu people will quit the religion,” Mahakud told reporters. He was too present there.
The district Collector said, “We are acting as per the decision of the court.”
Big bulldozers, drill machines and skilled technicians were engaged to demolish the strongly built wall structures. The drive was undertaken in two phases, from morning to 11 am and then from 3.30 am to evening.
The drive will continue till all identified structures are completely demolished, said the Barbil Tehsildar.
Media reporters, local leaders and villagers gathered there to witness the eviction drive.