Balangir: Land mafia from Andhra Pradesh are allegedly grabbing acres of areas in connivance with middlemen at throw-away prices in Patnagarh area of Odisha’s Balangir district.
While residents of the area alleged that some people from Andhra Pradesh were finalising deals at a hotel in Patnagarh for the acquisition of land with the help of local middlemen, senior officials were tight-lipped on the allegation.
According to sources, a local middleman had allegedly bought some villagers from nearby Dengarapathar for selling around 12 acres of land to a man from Andhra Pradesh when mediapersons reached the hotel.
Some revenue employees, present in the hotel, were preparing the required documents for registration of land being sold by villagers. However, those present at the hotel hurriedly dispersed when contacted by the media team. The registration and sale deed for the land was being done in the hotel and it was alleged that the land was being purchased from the villagers at a very cheap price.
When contacted over phone, Patnagarh sub-registrar Banabihari Harpal said he was away and had no information about the episode.
A villager said he had visited the hotel in order to sell a piece of land for which documents were being prepared.
Another villager said some employees from the registration office were also present in the hotel for doing the necessary paperwork.
Locals alleged that people from Andhra Pradesh had visited the area in the past also for acquiring land with the help of local middlemen.
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