March 4th 2025.
According to sources, there has been a recent development in the long-standing border dispute between Odisha and West Bengal. After four years of silence, West Bengal has once again attempted to encroach on territory along the border in Balasore district. The incident came to light when officials from West Bengal's East Midnapore district, accompanied by revenue officials and representatives from Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority, entered Sahabajipur village in Bhograi block on Friday. They proceeded to conduct an unauthorized land survey and install concrete marker poles to mark the boundary.
However, the local villagers were quick to resist this move and the West Bengal officials were forced to retreat and remove the markers. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred, as sources reveal that West Bengal has been systematically and tactfully encroaching on disputed areas near Digha for some time now. This situation is similar to the ongoing territorial conflict between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the Kotia region in Koraput district.
The border dispute between Odisha and West Bengal has been ongoing for over four decades and continues to affect around 82 villages in Balasore. Despite efforts, there has been no permanent resolution in sight. West Bengal has already taken control of Shankhamedi village and has been attempting to do the same with other villages such as Udayapur and Sahabajipur.
The local Odia residents have been fiercely resisting these encroachment attempts and have successfully foiled them in the past. However, with no intervention from the Odisha government, it is uncertain how long they will be able to hold off the neighbouring state's tactics.
Bhograi MLA Gautam Buddha Das has taken this matter seriously and has visited the spot with other officials to assess the situation. A meeting was held at the Sahabajipur Gram Panchayat to discuss the issue and a delegation led by the MLA will meet with the District Collector and the Chief Minister to address the matter. Das has assured the residents that Sahabajipur village belongs to Odisha and will remain a part of the state. He has also directed for concrete pillars to be installed within seven days to secure the village's borders and urged the residents to be vigilant in protecting their boundary.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
