Bhubaneswar: A massive eviction drive was launched in Patia area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to remove illegal structures raised on encroached government land.
Sources said large scale eviction was carried out jointly by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporatio
n (BMC) and General Administration Department at Kalarahanga in Patia. Police officials also accompanied them during the exercise.
Officials said authorities have set a target of demolishing more than 50 unauthorised structures, including houses and shops, in the area.
During the eviction process, officials faced stiff opposition from locals as several of them, including women, confronted them with sharp objects. The protesters also entered into heated arguments with officials overseeing the demolition work.
Senior officials were seen requesting the locals to extend cooperation to authorities. They assured the locals that all necessary steps would be taken to safeguard their interests.