One held for fraudulently acquiring farm in Odisha’s Bargarh, destroying crops

BARGARH: A member of the land mafia allegedly involved in fraudulent acquisition of farmland and destroying standing paddy crops at Tentlapali village in Bargarh district was arrested on Wednesday.

The accused was identified as Toufique Khan (38). ASP, Tapan Mohanty said Khan was nabbed from Dhenkanal. Since he complained of health issues, he was initially admitted to Bargarh district headquarters hospital and later shifted to VIMSAR, Burla. However, we was brought back to Bargarh on Thursday day and forwarded to court in the evening.

According to reports, the land mafia fraudulently acquired a large patch of land registered in the name of multiple farmers, without their consent and covered large tracts with standing paddy crops, almost ready to be harvested with soil overnight.

The property spread over 11 acre was owned by several farmers of Tentlapali. While some shareholders had sold their portions, others refused. However, the protesters recently alleged the entire plot was sold without their signatures or consent.