The residents of Sankhamedi, a village having a border dispute with West Bengal, have demanded that their village be  declared as a revenue village  under Bhograi block of Odisha and the Odisha Government collect revenue from them.

They alleged that even after seven decades  of independence they couldn’t earn their identities although they identify themselves as Odias.

They observed that they were not getting benefits  under Odisha Government's welfare schemes and policies as their village ,Sankhamedi, which comes under the jurisdiction of Analia panchayat of the block is yet to be declared by the State Government as a revenue village .

Venting their grievances, they said owing to the lack of status of revenue village they are deprived  of  certificates such as  residential, caste , income and other testimonials. They said that they are willing  to pay revenue  and want to be part of Odisha.

On the occasion of observation of  the Independence  Day, several villagers took out a rally with placards around their village demanding status of revenue village reiterating that they wish to be part of Odisha.

According to local sources, as many 82 villages in Bhograi and Jaleswar  in the border of Bengal are  more or less disputed due to lack of proper identification and demarcations.

They further said at least 6 villages among 82 are acutely affected due to the non -resolve of border dispute. They further said the residents of those villages so far couldn’t earn identity either of Odisha or West Bengal although in some patches the residents have dual voter identity cards and ration cards .

The issue is long standing and needs to be resolved after having talks with Bengal counter parts. The village Sankhamedi having a population of 556 was paying revenue up 1975 to Odisha.

However, the practice was stopped ever since owing to the controversy over nativity.