Berhampur, Dec. 24: Berhampur Development Authority on Tuesday removed encroachments from a five acre plot near the Corporation Road, which is the proposed site for a multi-crore integrated commercial-cum-residential complex Gajapati Plaza project.

The eviction drive was temporarily withdrawn following resistance from the encroachers and leaders belonging to the Congress, the CPM and BJD legislator Ramesh Chandra Chau Patnaik.

“We will continue the eviction drive. Political leaders must discuss the issue at a proper forum,” said Pooja Mishra, BDA’s enforcement officer. Executive magistrate-cum-tehsildar Kukudakhandi Bhabani Mishra also echoed Mishra.

A BDA official said the question of rehabilitation of encroachers did not arise as the plot belonged the development body.

However, Patnaik said requested BDA officials to give them some time and stop eviction till political leader discussed the issue with district collector Krishen Kumar.

“About 140 families are staying in this plot and are enrolled in the Rajiv Awas Yojana,” the MLA said.