Encroachers grab Air Force land in Bhograi

Even as the Indian government pushes forward with plans to strengthen the country's military infrastructure, concerns have surfaced over alleged encroachments on land belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Talsari beach in Bhogarai block of Balasore district.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

In the 1990s, the IAF unit at Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district of West Bengal had test-fired missiles from the Talsari coast into the Bay of Bengal. Officials said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had initially identified 10 acres of land in the area, later expanded and acquired an additional 50 acres, Revenue officials said.

A signboard still stands there stating the property belongs to the IAF under the MoD, warning against construction, farming, garbage dumping or movement inside the zone. A small MoD outpost with four security guards remains on site. However, allegations locals have expressed concern over sand dunes at Talsari being sold and purchased in blatant violation of rules, demanding a high-level investigation