Dispute over compensation sparks allegations of assault and ostracism
PADANPUR (Banki), Cuttack — An alleged kangaroo court convened in Padanpur village of Banki block has escalated into a law-and-order concern after a resident claimed he was physically assaulted and subsequently subjected to a social boycott over compensation money paid for land acquired for a national highway project.
According to the complaint registered at Banki police station, the complainant, identified as Parshuram Pal, received ₹1.76 lakh as compensation for ancestral land acquired for the highway. He alleges that some villagers pressured him to hand over half of that amount to a relative and that a village meeting became hostile when he refused.
"Some villagers threatened to set my house on fire and forcibly took me to the village meeting. They also threatened to kill me and ostracised me from the village," Parshuram said in his complaint.
Police, human rights body drawn into dispute
Parshuram says he was assaulted and driven out during the meeting and that, after approaching the police, he began to face a community-wide boycott. He alleged that villagers were instructed not to supply essential goods to his family through local shops. Fearing for his safety, he said he has been staying in Bhubaneswar, where he works as an auto-rickshaw driver and spends nights.
He has approached the Odisha Human Rights Commission seeking intervention in the matter, the complaint states. A case has been recorded at Banki police station and police officers are attempting to resolve the dispute through discussions with both sides, according to local reports. There has been no official response from police to the specific accusations of assault and organised ostracism as of now.
Local implications and the administration's response
The allegations raise broader issues about the conduct of informal village forums and the protection of compensation recipients during land acquisition processes. Such forums, when operating outside statutory mechanisms, can lead to coercion and denial of basic rights, victims and activists have warned in similar cases elsewhere.
- Victim's claim: Assault at a village meeting and forced expulsion over refusal to share compensation.
- Compensation involved: ₹1.76 lakh received for land acquired for a national highway project.
- Action taken: Case registered at Banki police station; petition filed with Odisha Human Rights Commission.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Padanpur village, Banki block, Cuttack district |
| Complainant | Parshuram Pal |
| Compensation amount | ₹1.76 lakh |
| Current status | Case registered; police mediating; complaint to Odisha Human Rights Commission |
Local residents and civil-society activists monitoring the case say authorities should ensure the complainant's safety and investigate allegations of coercion and threats. In cases involving land acquisition compensation, transparent grievance redressal and police protection are often necessary to prevent intimidation and unlawful collective action.
Meanwhile, villagers have been approached for comment through local channels, and the police have indicated efforts to mediate between the parties. The Human Rights Commission's response and the outcome of the police inquiry will be key to determining whether criminal action is warranted and to restoring social equilibrium in the village.
For residents of Cuttack district, this incident serves as a reminder to use formal legal avenues for disputes over acquisition compensation and to seek timely protection from authorities when facing threats or coercion. Those who feel threatened after receiving compensation or attending village forums are advised to register complaints immediately with local police and pursue statutory remedies.
