Utkal University Launches Eviction Drive to Clear Illegal Occupants from Staff Quarters

Bhubaneswar: After clearing outsiders from boys’ hostels earlier this week, Utkal University has now begun an eviction drive to remove illegal occupants from staff quarters inside its Vani Vihar campus.

The operation started on Thursday morning, a day after the deadline set by the administration expired. To ensure smooth execution, the university sought police support, with four platoons deployed on campus.

Officials said that while some occupants vacated voluntarily following the September 9 notice directing them to leave by 5 pm on September 10, several quarters were found locked. Police personnel broke open the doors of such houses to proceed with the eviction.

Of the 610 staff quarters on campus, 492 are officially allotted to employees, 118 are vacant, and 49 had been encroached upon illegally. Notices were issued to all encroachers, and most have now moved out, though a few were still shifting on Thursday morning.

The university administration confirmed that the drive will continue under tight security until all quarters are freed from illegal possession.