After Supreme Court’s (SC) direction to the State Government to refrain from demolition of mutts and religious structures near the Jagannath Temple, the district administration appears to be in a fix.
The administration is facing questions from residents and managements of mutts located in 75-metre radius of the temple. Residents opposing acquisition of houses have got a plea against the administration.
Though they have gained little solace after the verdict, but a fear of displacement still persists looking at strategic move of the Government for the heritage city project.
As many as 200 private houses and 18 mutts exiting in 75 metre radius are in acquisition list for which surveys have already begun in many streets surrounding the temple. Officials are now busy mobilizing the residents visiting door to door.
In the first phase, the Government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore towards compensation and rehabilitation of land losers. The administration will pay 10 per cent extra to those who will agree on their own and leave their houses.
The administration had to face protests while acting on Mangu Mutt of Sikhs after successfully demolishing Emar Mutt, Naga Mutt and Badaakhada Mutt. A tweet from Punjab CM Captain Amerinder Singh for CM Naveen Patnaik opposing eviction of their structure put a stop on the drive. Now, the administration has diverted its officials in mapping of residences and lodgings in security zone and zeroed in on consultations with the landlords.
The administration also succeeded to make some residents agree in pen and paper. But still a majority of residents are opposed to acquisition of their houses.
“Some staffs from the Collector’s office came to my house for survey. I straightway disagreed with them saying I will not leave my paternal house. Without argument, they simply returned,” said a servitor of Manikarnika Sahi.