Puri: Tension between two villages in Brahmagiri block of Odisha’s Puri district escalated on Monday a canal digging work initiated by the administraton.
As per information, there has been a long-standing dispute over a canal between Haridas and Kusubenti villages under Kusubenti Panchayat of Brahmagiri Block, has continued for nearly three decades.
Sources said the district administration initiated an excavation work on the disputed canal after deploying a large security force in the area. The action triggered tension in the area and led to a law-and-order situation, prompting the authorities to detain around 40 people.
As per information, the villagers protested the canal digging work by staging a sit-in on the spot to prevent the project work. A scuffle reportedly broke out between the villagers and the police when officials arrived to carry out the canal excavation.
While police detained around 40 of the protesting villagers amid the confrontation, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS were imposed amid heavy police deployment in the area.
Local residents have raised concern over the administration’s approach, noting that the issue has remained unresolved for years and requires a sustainable, long-term solution through dialogue.
As per sources, a fund of over Rs 7 crore was allotted for the construction of the canal in the region. The project was sanctioned in 2013 to facilitate water discharge from Chilika.
However, the villagers have been protesting against the project by stating that they are dependent on shrimp cultivation for their livelihood and it will be affected by the canal project.
