BJP MLA Seeks Action On BJD Leaders Over Forest Land Encroachment To Set Up ‘Islam Nagar’ In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Voicing concern over the alleged encroachment forest land to set up ‘Islam Nagar’ in Motu area of Odisha’s Malkangiri district, BJP MLA Narasinga Madkami on Wednesday accused Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders of being involved in it and sought stringent action against them.

Stating that forest land was encroached upon illegally to establish ‘Islam Nagar’ in the tribal-dominated Motu of the district, the Malkangiri MLA alleged that local BJD leaders are involved in the incident violating the law.

More than 100 acres of forest land has been encroached in violation of the Forest Act, he said, adding that a local BJD leader, Mausam Khan, a close associate of former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi, is involved in the illegal act.

The BJD leader has indulged in illegal activities to establish Islam Nagar in Motu area, Madkami said.

Hitting out at the BJD leaders, Madkami said it is shocking that the name of traditional Baribancha village has been renamed as Islam Nagar and many illegal buildings, warehouses, roads and ponds have been constructed in the encroached area by using Mahatma Gandhi NREGA fund.

This apart, large transformers have been installed by the electricity department and all these illegal activities occurred during the previous BJD government’s regime, he said.

Demanding a through probe in the alleged forest land encroachment, the BJP MLA said stringent action must be taken against the accused persons.