Rourkela: After remaining tense for a couple of days due to disputes over mining transportation rights between a new entrant and the old existing parties, Koira mining area has seen some normalcy Saturday.
“The situation is normal today. Mining operation and loading is going on peacefully. All the sides have agreed to work as per the work orders given to them. The workers’ interest will be safeguarded at any cost,” said Bonai SDPO Swaraj Debata adding that close watch is being kept.
Tension had been brewing for the last week ever since a new transporter was allowed transportation by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The new contractor was trying to enter with his vehicles but he was not allowed inside the siding area.
“The whole unrest is nothing but a fight for absolute control over a big transportation market,” said a local trade union activist, who did not want to be named.
The entire operation was being managed by eight companies. But, it is reported that all the companies belonged to one single individual. “Now, when another person gets in, the money will be shared and no one wants that, even if we believe that all the eight companies have different ownerships,” he further added.
And in this fight for “absolute control” the local tribals who earn their livelihood from the loading siding will get affected. “In fact, the tension has already affected them owing to arrival of less number of trucks,” he said.
The Khandadhar mining area is witnessing palpable tension with the deployment of over 10 platoon police forces. Kurumita mining area is a part of the 651-acre of Khandadhar mining area and belongs to the OMC. Every year over 2.4 million tonne of iron ores are transported from here. For this purpose, eight companies are engaged in transportation of raw material, at least on pen and paper.
The same person was allowed last year transportation by the OMC. However, he faced stiff opposition and could not operate. He has been allowed again this year for transportation and tension was witnessed following his entry into the area.
Last year an agreement was signed in the presence of Bonai MLA Laxman Munda, Rourkela MLA and Labour Minister Sarada Nayak, the transporters and local unions. It was decided that transportation would go on as usual and along with that peripheral development would also be looked after.
Meanwhile, an attempt to speak to Munda failed and the minister’s audio was very poor due to network issues. Police say the situation was under control and a tight vigil is being kept.
PNN
