Bhograi: Since 1978, boundary disputes between Orissa and West Bengal have remained unresolved. As many as 82 fringe villages in Balasore have been enmeshed in border disputes. These disputes have been most intense in six villages under Balasore block and five under Jaleswar block.
Residents as well as sand smugglers from the neighbouring state have been sneaking into Orissa and have tried several times to assert their dominance, which has resulted in confrontations in the past.
In October 2016, some leaders along with administrative officials from the neighbouring state had vandalised a toilet built by the Orissa government in Udaypur. Locals and officials from both sides had then clashed with each other over the issue.
It is also alleged that West Bengal has occupied Sankhamedi village in Analia panchayat. The residents are still enjoying various facilities and schemes of both state governments. Over 300 voters of the villages have been exercising their franchise during panchayat and assembly polls in both the states.
The administration has been sparring with the neighbouring state over the villages like Kuanarpur, Mankidia, Gopalpur, Bilaspur and Sankhabhanga under Jaleswar block.
In 2015, both sides had declared that a dispute over Rajabandh was sorted out in the presence of local leaders and tehsil officials of both the sides.
Boundary disputes with West Bengal are still unresolved in Tiring, Bahalda, Barmada in Mayurbhanj district. Sadly, the state has lost Oriya-majority tracts like Sareikala and Kharasuan in Jharkhand.
As for the boundary dispute in Balasore, government chief whip Ananta Das said, “West Bengal has unnecessarily ramped up tensions in fringe areas by violating borders. The state government is well aware of the neighbouring state’s activities along border areas. Udaypur belongs to our state. We have built roads. Sankamedi village is an integral part of our state. The state government has taken various steps for protection of Oriya language and culture in the area.”
Former MP Kartikeswar Patra laid emphasis on a permanent solution for the boundary disputes through a Central committee.
Jaleswar MLA Aswinin Patra expressed concern over rampant sand lifting by West Bengal smugglers from the Subarnarekha. “The mafia is illegally transporting truckloads of sand outside the state. As a result, the state government is losing crores of rupees in revenue. The state government should take stern action against the sand mafia,” Patra said.
Former MP and Utkal Bharat president Kharavel Swain suggested that the chief ministers of both states sit together and resolve the boundary dispute permanently by drawing boundaries.
Bhograi tehsildar Abhaya Kumar Nayak said there should be a high-level meeting by administration of both the states to sort out boundary disputes.
Rashmi Kamal, collector of East Midnapore district, underscored the need for high-level meeting to mutually resolve the disputes. He added that the state government should not undertake any development work in disputed areas.
Debabrata Das, member of Digha-Shankarpur Unnayan Parishad, said a secretary-level meeting be held to determine the boundary lines between the two states. PNN
