Keonjhar: At least four people sustained injuries during a violent confrontation between residents of two villages in Keonjhar district on Wednesday. The altercation erupted over a dispute concerning the alleged encroachment of government land.
Details of the Incident
The clash occurred between residents of Tentulinanda village under Soso police station and Shankhana village in the Nandipada area. Both groups reportedly engaged in stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to four individuals. The injured were promptly admitted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, according to sources.
Police Response and Deployment
Upon receiving information about the clash, police personnel from Nandipada and Soso police stations rushed to the scene and successfully brought the situation under control. Nandipada IIC Dharmendra Shanti confirmed that two platoons of police force have been deployed in the area to ensure law and order remains stable.
Anandpur SDPO Kamal Kumar Panda visited the site and urged both parties to resolve the matter through peaceful dialogue. “The situation is now stable following police intervention. The Hatadihi tehsildar has been requested to demarcate the disputed land,” Panda stated.
Origin of the Dispute
According to police reports, the conflict originated from an alleged encroachment of government land in Tentulinanda by a resident of Shankhana village, who had constructed a parking facility on the plot. Tensions escalated when local residents from Tentulinanda attempted to remove or cover the structure, leading to the violent confrontation.
Legal Proceedings
As of the time of filing this report, no formal complaint had been lodged by either side. Police officials stated, “A case will be registered if a written complaint is received.” Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further escalation.
The deployment of additional police forces and the involvement of the tehsildar for land demarcation reflect the administration's commitment to resolving the dispute amicably and maintaining peace in the region.
