Even as the proposed prawn Gheries eviction at Balikuda coast has been deferred till November 15 due to protest launched by Gheri owners, the Forest department has lodged an FIR against hundreds of protestors for preventing the administration from carrying out eviction drive on August 18. Reports said that Kujang forest department range officer Ranjan Kumar Mishra following instruction from DFO Rajnagar lodged the FIR in Balikuda police station against the protestors.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case bearing number 302/2021 under section 148/186/506/147/341 and 149 IPC and carried out an investigation, informed Balikuda police station IIC Dilip Kumar Sahoo. Notably, the Forest Department allegations revealed as on August 18 forest officials from Kujanga, Rajanagar, revenue officer Balikuda Tehsil, police personnel from Balikuda and Bandar police stations and a Magistrate reached at Naupala village under Kusupur Panchayat for conducting prawn Gheries eviction allegedly built in forest land.
The prawn pond growers vehemently opposed the eviction drive at the spot and did not allow the Government employees in discharging their duties.