Odisha: Road To House ‘Blocked’, 8 Families Battling Kangaroo Court Diktat In Kendrapara

Kendrapara: “You cannot talk to anyone, neither are the villagers allowed to talk to you. Dare you violate this, remember that a penalty of Rs 151 is hovering over you for every single violation”. As many as eight households of Silapokhari village beneath Rajnagar block of the district have been on the receiving finish for the previous few months following this diktat by the village Kangaroo Court.
As per the allegations made by one Khageswar Das of the village, a number of folks had proposed development of a Community Centre reverse his home. However, Das opposed the proposal citing that it’s going to prohibit his motion from his personal home.
Das didn’t fully oppose the transfer, and as an alternative requested them to construct the Centre at a unique location and never in entrance of his home. However, the villagers have been allegedly adamant and caught to their plan.
Later, when Das determined to take the assistance of regulation and went to police looking for assist, the Kangaroo Court issued a diktat asking all to stay away from those that defied the Community Centre proposal, which resulted in a social boycott of Das’ and 7 different households. What apparently occurred on account of the Community Centre development is the street to his home was blocked.
“All my brothers are staying outside. When I returned home post the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, I realised that the villagers have already started construction work. The road to my house was nearly sealed. I told them not to go ahead with the construction as it is blocking my way to the house. They responded with ‘do whatever you want, we will construct the house here only’. When I went to the police station seeking help, the cops did not lend an ear to my complaint. The road to my house is completely blocked now. If I initiate a conversation with someone or vice-versa, Rs 151 penalty is being imposed,” alleged Khageswar Das, the sufferer.
Human Rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo stated, “Ostracising people is unjust. Before ordering anything, the Kangaroo court should have discussed the problems the families would be facing as a result of the construction. They should rather try to resolve such issues instead of worsening them. This is illegal and injustice towards the affected families.”
Asked, the IIC of the Rajnagar Police Station Tapan Kumar Nayak stated that no criticism has been filed on this regard. We will take needed motion as soon as a criticism is lodged, he stated.
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