The Kendrapada district administration would begin an eviction drive from October 13 to free all Government land encroached by self-proclaimed godmen in all nine tehsils of the district, said Sub-Collector Kanhu Charan Dhir.
For this, the administration has formed three teams headed by Executive Magistrates and requested the SP to provide required police force to control law and order problems that might emerge during evictions, informed the Sub-Collector.
An official report said over 75 Ashrams have encroached about 51.78 acres of land in 68 villages under the nine tehsils.
It may be noted that Central Range RDC Bikash Kumar Mohapatra had on September 2 directed 10 coastal district Collectors to submit details regarding ‘godmen’ and their landholdings in their respective areas within 15 days. The RDC had directed to take action against ‘godmen’ who are found grabbing Government land.
Notices have already been issued to all ‘godmen’ who have encroached Government land.