Post News Network
Rayagada, April 10: Hundreds of people belonging to five panchayats under Sadar block in Rayagada district took out a rally here Friday and later staged demonstration outside the collector’s office demanding initiation of immediate measures to control pollution being created by JK Paper mill in their areas.
The rally was started from Maa Majhighariani temple and ended near the collector’s office and people of Kereda, Hataseshkhal, Gajigaon, Jamadeipentha and Bairagihalua gram panchayats participated in this rally.
The protestors chanted slogans against the paper mill authorities and staged demonstration outside the Collectorate to press for their six-point charter of demands.
They alleged that JK Paper mill authorities are releasing contaminated water into River Nagabali. Due to this, water of River Nagabali has got polluted and people of their areas are being affected by skin disease, kidney ailments and some other diseases. Therefore, they urged the administration to direct the paper mill authorities to immediately stop releasing contaminated water into the river.
The protestors further claimed that the company authorities had made promise to supply water for irrigating crops in these panchayats by creating a mega reservoir at Aachwa. However, the company authorities had not kept their promise. They stated that around 20,000 acres of land could have been irrigated if the company had constructed the reservoir. So, they demanded for immediate construction of the reservoir for improving irrigation facility in the area. The villagers also raised several other demands which included filling up vacant posts of doctors and other staff in the health centre at Khilamisiguda, constructing a protection wall around Anija, Borahalua, Khilamisiguda and Ranaguda villages, laying a road to connect Kereda village with Anija and constructing a bridge over River Nagabali near Khilamisiguda village.
The protestors presented a memorandum to the collector enlisting their demands. They warned that they would intensify their protest if their demands were not conceded by the administration.
