Tensions flared once again over the border dispute between West Bengal and Odisha on February 28 in Sahabajipur village, located in Odisha’s Balasore district. Frustrated villagers reportedly dismantled boundary pillars set up by West Bengal officials and maintained a watch for over three days to prevent any further alleged encroachment.
According to media reports, a team from West Bengal’s revenue department and the Digha Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) allegedly installed over 25 pillars, extending 500 meters into Odisha’s territory while claiming the land as part of West Bengal.
Bhograi MLA Gautam Buddha Das of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) condemned the move, calling it a blatant violation of the border agreement between the two states. “A high-level committee was formed in 2020, including officials from both West Bengal and Odisha, to demarcate the borders clearly. Yet, West Bengal continues to disregard the agreement,” he told THE WEEK.
The border dispute dates back to 1936 when Odisha was formed. In 2023, authorities reportedly installed 40 boundary pillars in West Bengal’s Dantan and 36 in Odisha’s Jaleswar to mark the border. However, the conflict in the Bhograi block, which shares a boundary with West Bengal’s Ramnagar I block, remains unresolved.
Local media in Odisha reported that residents had accused West Bengal of using forceful tactics to seize territory and assert control over disputed land near the popular coastal tourist town of Digha.
“On the 28th, West Bengal officials arrived without any prior communication or announcement. They simply planted the pillars,” Das said. “We demand a permanent resolution. West Bengal repeatedly encroaches on our land, whether in Shahbajipur or Udaipur. This disrupts the harmony between the people of both states.”
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Akhil Giri from Ramnagar countered the allegations, claiming that Odisha was the one encroaching on West Bengal’s land. “They frequently cross our borders too. But as an MLA, I cannot comment further on this matter,” he told THE WEEK.
When approached for a statement, Ramnagar I block development officer (BDO) Puja Debnath declined to comment, stating that DSDA executive officer Apurba Kumar Biswas was the appropriate authority to address the issue. However, Biswas was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
