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Ex-servicemen on warpath for land

BERHAMPUR: More than 100 former defence personnel of Rangeilunda block in Ganjam district have threatened to intensify their continuing agitation in demand of the land promised to them by the government.

They have alleged that although there is a vast government land in the area which is being misused by a few persons with political links, no steps are being taken to allot some land to the persons who fought for the country in the past. According to Damodar Nayak, an ex-serviceman, who is part of the agitation, the state Sainik Board has already recommended allocation of five acres of land for the ex-servicemen of the area. The former defence personnel felt at least the government could have leased out the large cashew orchards existing in the area to these former soldiers or to a cooperative formed by them.

On Tuesday they held a demonstration in front of the Kanisi tehsil office over the matter. These former soldiers alleged that a BJD leader of Rangeilunda block was ‘illegally’ occupying 205 acres of government land having cashew and kewra plantations in the area since last 30 years.

According to them, the administration and government was silent over the matter.

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