Lanjigarh: Farmers of Bundel village under this block in Kalahandi district Wednesday sat on a dharna before Vedanta main gate protesting release of aluminium powder by the company.
According to sources, people of Bundel village depend on agriculture for their sustenance. However, release of aluminium powder by the company affects their farming. Acres of crops have been damaged, bringing heavy losses to them.
Several complaints have been lodged by the farmers with Vedanta authorities but in vain. No measures have been taken in this regard over past few years, the villagers said. The powder has pushed villagers and livestock of the village to the brink, they said.
Left with no options, the farmers took affected crops like paddy, pulses saplings and other crops and sat in a dharna. Demanding immediate measures and compensation for the crop losses, they warned to continue the agitation if no steps were taken before long.
On learning the incident, Lanjigarh SI Rajendra Mahapatra reached the spot and tried in vain to pacify the agitators. Later, Vedanta CSR head Ranjan Sharma, power plant head Biraja Shankar Munda, public relations officer Sidharth Behera and Rabindra Nath visited the affected farmland and promised to bring the matter to the notice of Vedanta plant chief Bimalendu Senapati.
The stir was later called off after officials assured measure by December 18. It may be noted here that although the plant has been operating in the region for several years, there are few jobs for the villagers. Most people in the village work as bonded labourers. PNN
