In a shocking turn of events, the name of Mohammad Masoom Khan, a figure linked to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has surfaced in a case involving the illegal occupation of forest land in Odisha. According to multiple reports, Khan took control of approximately 100 acres of forest land situated in the tribal-dominated Motu region, located in the Malkangiri district. On this illegally seized land, Khan went on to establish what is now known as Islam Nagar, turning the area into his own domain. What’s particularly troubling is that these actions appear to have been carried out with the support and encouragement from the previous BJD government, allowing Khan to expand his illegal empire unchecked.

The accusations of a collaborative relationship between Mohammad Masoom Khan and the BJD have sparked significant concern among the public. It’s alleged that Khan’s actions were not just tolerated but aided by certain elements within the government. The forest department’s division in Malkangiri has responded to these alarming developments by launching a thorough investigation. Officials are currently working to uncover the full extent of the illegal activities and the potential political backing behind them.

Khan’s connections extend deep into political circles, with claims that he is closely associated with former Lok Sabha MP and senior BJD leader Pradeep Kumar Majhi. Khan’s involvement in various political gatherings organized by the BJD is well-documented, and recently, images of Khan at these events have gone viral across social media platforms. These photographs show Khan in close proximity to Majhi, further fueling speculation about the depth of their relationship. The circulation of these images has drawn widespread attention, with many questioning the role that political affiliations played in enabling Khan’s illegal occupation of forest land.

In response to the growing public outcry, the forest department has initiated concrete measures. According to Priyanka Mahuka, the Assistant Conservator of Forests in Malkangiri, the local ranger has been alerted and instructed to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter. The ranger has been tasked with submitting a detailed report after conducting an inquiry, which will determine whether additional steps need to be taken. The probe is expected to shed light on the full extent of the illegal encroachments and whether they were indeed facilitated by political influences.

The situation remains fluid, with many eagerly awaiting the findings of the ranger’s investigation. This case has not only raised serious concerns about the misuse of public land but also about the potential collusion between political figures and illegal activities. As more details emerge, it is becoming increasingly evident that this is not just an isolated incident but part of a broader issue that could have far-reaching implications for governance and law enforcement in the region.

The people of Malkangiri, particularly in the tribal-dominated areas, are looking to the authorities to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the illegal occupation of forest land are held accountable. Whether the investigation will lead to any substantive action against Khan and his associates remains to be seen. However, the initiation of the probe marks an important step in addressing the issue and restoring faith in the rule of law in the region.

BJP Demands Action Against the Accused, Terms it Land Jihad

The controversy surrounding the illegal occupation of forest land in Odisha's Malkangiri district has escalated, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stepping in and demanding action against those responsible. BJP Malkangiri MLA Narsingh Madkami has openly accused leaders from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of assisting Mohammad Masoom Khan in seizing over 100 acres of forest land. Madkami specifically brought up the name of former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi and his alleged close association with Khan, hinting that Majhi may have played a pivotal role in facilitating the illegal activities that led to the creation of Islam Nagar in the Motu region.

Madkami did not hold back in his criticism, stating, “Violating the Forest Act, more than 100 acres of forest land has been encroached by local BJD leader, Mausam Khan, a close associate of former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi, to establish Islam Nagar in Motu area in the tribal dominant Malkangiri district.” This direct accusation against a prominent BJD leader reflects the growing tension between the BJP and BJD over the issue. The encroachment of forest land in a tribal-dominated region has raised serious concerns, with the BJP calling for immediate intervention.

In addition to the illegal land occupation, Madkami highlighted the disturbing fact that traditional Baribancha village has been renamed as Islam Nagar. This renaming has not only caused uproar among the locals but also fueled the political firestorm, with many seeing it as an attempt to erase the cultural and historical identity of the region. Madkami further revealed that several illegal buildings, warehouses, roads, and ponds have been constructed on the illegally acquired land, using funds from the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). He expressed shock at the scale of illegal activities that were carried out with apparent ease during the tenure of the previous BJD government.

Madkami went on to expose additional details, stating that large transformers have been installed by the electricity department in the area, further solidifying the illegal occupation. According to Madkami, all of this happened under the watch of the former BJD government, which raises serious questions about the level of political involvement in the case. The BJP MLA’s statements have intensified the pressure on the authorities to take immediate action and investigate the extent of the political support that made these illegal constructions possible.

The BJP is now calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, with Madkami insisting that those responsible must face severe consequences for their actions. Local BJP leaders in Malkangiri have echoed these demands, arguing that the illegal cutting of trees, the takeover of 100 acres of forest land, and the erection of massive high-rise structures could not have been achieved without significant political backing. They pointed out that such large-scale developments, including the construction of a sizable reservoir using funds from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, a road under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, and the installation of a transformer by the Electricity Department, would have required direct support from influential political figures.

BJP leaders have accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and particularly former MP Pradeep Majhi, of shielding and fostering this massive criminal operation. According to the BJP, the local administration has intentionally overlooked these illegal activities for political gain, allowing the unlawful occupation of land to continue unchecked. The BJP has expressed frustration with the lack of action under the previous government, pointing out that political interests seem to have taken precedence over the rule of law.

BJP leaders did not mince words, calling on the current government to act decisively. They stated, “We implore Mohan Majhi’s administration to look into this case thoroughly and take decisive action against individuals involved, especially in light of the recent change in government.” This plea reflects the growing demand for accountability in the wake of the change in leadership in Odisha, with many hoping that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s administration will take a firm stand against the alleged illegalities carried out during the BJD’s regime.

The accusations don’t stop there. Anil Biswal, the state spokesperson for the BJP, made it clear that the party views the issue as part of a broader agenda of land jihad. Biswal emphasized that strict measures have been implemented in other BJP-led states, such as Uttarakhand and Assam, where the government has taken a tough stance on similar issues. He assured that Odisha would follow the same path, with the government under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expected to enforce policies similar to those in Assam and Uttarakhand. This statement signals a commitment by the BJP to address the illegal encroachment with the same level of seriousness that other states have shown.

Biswal also expressed concerns about the long-term plan behind the creation of Islam Nagar, suggesting that the illegal occupation of forest territory in a predominantly tribal area was part of a larger strategy. He promised that the current administration, led by Chief Minister Majhi, would protect the rights and interests of indigenous tribal people. In Biswal’s view, this incident serves as further evidence that, despite their promises, both Congress and the BJD have failed to genuinely support the tribal population. In fact, he asserted that their actions are decidedly anti-tribal, as they have allowed illegal activities to occur in tribal lands without intervention.

The BJP’s accusations and demands for action reflect the growing tension surrounding the illegal occupation of forest land in Malkangiri. With pressure mounting on the Mohan Majhi administration to take decisive action, the people of Odisha are watching closely to see whether the new government will deliver on its promises and hold those responsible for these illegal acts accountable. As the investigation continues, the future of Islam Nagar and the land it occupies remains uncertain, with many hoping for swift justice in this complex and politically charged case.