The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) for a probe into the alleged possession of forest land by people illegally in Keonjhar and Angul districts.
Human Rights Watchdog secretary Sangita Swain had moved the commission alleging that land grabbers have illegally possessed around 90 per cent of the forest land in Banspal, Harichandanpur, Ghatgaon, Telkoi, Ghasipura, Anandapur, Joda and Champua blocks in Angul and Keonjhar districts and even managed to get land Pattas in their name in connivance with Forest/Revenue officials.
The apex human rights watchdog has directed OHRC to dispose off the case in accordance with law.
The petitioner has prayed the commission to take criminal action against the forest and other concerned Government officials and land grabbers. She also urged the commission to evict the land encroachers.