Bhubaneswar, Sept. 3 -- The eviction drive for Samalei Project-2 began in Sambalpur on Thursday. Houses were demolished at a settlement near 'fisheries pond'. The drive was carried out in the presence of the Sadar Tehsildar and the enforcement officer of the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation.

While officials said that the exercise was being carried out peacefully with the consent of some residents, people living in the settlement sought compensation and rehabilitation before their houses were demolished.

One of the officials said, "The eviction drive was carried out peacefully and we did not use any force at all. We only tore down those houses whose residents had given consent for this. We also arranged labourers to move their belongings....