A major eviction drive was carried out in the Kalarahanga area of Patia in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday as authorities demolished illegal houses and shops allegedly built on government land. The joint operation was conducted by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the General Administration Department.

More than 50 houses and shops were reportedly razed during the drive using bulldozers. Tension prevailed in the area as several residents staged protests against the eviction. Some protestors allegedly brought sickles, knives, and other sharp weapons while opposing the demolition process.

Residents claimed that while the government had issued notices about a month ago, several affected families did not receive any official intimation. Many protestors sat on the road under the scorching sun, demanding compensation and rehabilitation.

A protestor, Rashmita Nayak, said, “I built this house after a lot of struggle and now it has been ruined. I never received any notice. I will demand compensation from the government.”

Following the protests, allegations also surfaced that government land in the area had been sold illegally.

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A Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC) official said, “We received complaints that people were facing commuting problems due to house extensions over drains. Notices were served and residents were requested to vacate the area. Around 25 to 30 shops were built on the road, so the eviction drive started from the shops first.”

The official further said that allegations regarding the illegal sale of government land would be investigated by the concerned department. Meanwhile, security was tightened in the area as the eviction drive continued amid heavy protests.