4 villagers injured in clash over encroachment

Keonjhar: At least four people were injured in a clash between residents of two villages in Keonjhar district on Wednesday over a dispute concerning encroachment on govt land.

The residents of Tentulinanda village under Soso police station and Shankhana in Nandipada area allegedly pelted each other with stones. The injured were admitted to hospital, sources said.

Police from Nandipada and Soso stations rushed to the spot on receiving information and brought the situation under control. Nandipada IIC Dharmendra Shanti said two platoons of police force have been deployed to maintain law and order.

Anandpur SDPO Kamal Kumar Panda visited the area and advised both sides to resolve the issue through dialogue. “The situation is now stable following police intervention. Hatadihi tehsildar has been asked to demarcate the disputed land,” Panda said.

No complaint had been lodged by either side till the filing of this report. “A case will be registered if a written complaint is received,” police said.

According to police, the dispute stemmed from alleged encroachment of govt land in Tentulinanda by a resident of Shankhana village, who had constructed a parking. Tension escalated when the local residents from Tentulinanda attempted to remove or cover the structure.