Sinapali: Even as the row between Chhattisgarh and Odisha over the sharing of Mahanadi water refuses to die down, a fresh dispute has surfaced between the two neighbours over the ownership of land in Nuapada district close to the border.
Farmers of Sinapali tehsil near Chhattisgarh border in Nuapada district alleged that Chhattisgarh farmers have encroached upon 25 acres of their farm land and are cultivating corn there.
According to reports, the Revenue Department of Chhattisgarh has encroached upon the land of the farmers in Nuamalpada panchayat under Sinapali tehsil. Worse, the administration of the neighbouring state has also distributed that land among landless farmers. This, despite the fact that Odisha farmers have their land records in their possession, said the victims of Nuamalpada panchayat.
According to sources, some farmers of Sinapali tehsil, had been cultivating on about 25 acres for the past several years. They also received land pattas (record of rights) as they were the legitimate owners of the land here over several generations. But the farmers of Chhatisgarh with the help of their administration have encroached on those 25 acres.
However, about two months back, the locals spotted some officials of Chhattisgarh roaming in the vicinity of their farmlands. Later, it was learnt that the outsiders comprised members of a team of Chhattisgarh Revenue Department officials and the tehsildar of Mainjapur of Chhattisgarh. The villagers also came to know that the revenue officials of Chhattisgarh had allotted their lands to landless persons of Burujjabahal area of Chhattisgarh.
After the news published in various media, the district office officials visited the area Wednesday.
Following the instructions of Nuapada Collector Sitaram Patel, Sinapali tehsildar Kapildev Sahoo, additional tehsildar Laxman Majhi and Kendramunda Revenue Inspector (RI) inspected and demarked the lands that were allegedly encroached upon.
The team said that the neighbouring state farmers have encroached some acres of farmland for corn cultivation but not exactly 25 acres as alleged.
“Though it is already time to start farming activities we are unable to enter our farmlands as the people from Chhattisgarh are seen guarding the land with lathis,” said some farmers of Sinapali expressing their helplessness.
During the demarcation, farmers from both Nuamalpada and Burjabahal were present. The officials advised them to maintain peace and avoid trouble.
Notably, Revenue Divisional Inspector (South) inspected the area in 2018 and instructed the district administration to construct a permanent boundary wall on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Except erecting bamboo poles, the administration has not done anything.
It is feared that the problems of the state’s farmers may soon snowball into a major issue as the animosity over the Mahanadi river water row itself seems to be far from being resolved
PNN
