Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of people, mostly fishermen living in the coastal areas of Balasore, organised a dharna at Lower PMG here Thursday against the decision of the district administration to remove them from their native village.
About 300 families belonging to Jaydev Kasaba village of Balasore who participated in the protest demanded that the government should issue a direction to the Tehsildar to revoke the eviction plan. Most of the people who have been living there for more than 30 years said that the decision would affect the livelihood of hundreds of families.
“I have been staying in this village for more than three decades. If the district administration decides to demolish our house, I don’t know where I would take my family of eight members, including three children. In reality, the sea is the only source of income for us and we hope that the government would consider our issue,” said Jaga Dalai, a fisher man from Balasore.
The protesting members said that they have informed the Balasore district collector November 25 regarding this issue and the latter had requested them to wait for 10 days to arrive at a decision.
“We have informed the district collector and requested him to give directions to the tehslidar not to go ahead with their plans. Although we hope that the collector would take a favourable decision, our families are living in fear. In reality, the administration is planning to remove us from a place where we have been living for generations,” said Jagannath Dalapthi, another fisherman.
The government decision will also affect hundreds of school-going children from the village. In fact, many of these people who didn’t have alternative means of income hoped that the education of their children would help them sustain their families.
Social activists raising the issue claimed that the people have been getting threats from unknown elements for leaving their place and property.
“The administration is planning to evict about 3000 people. The decision will also affect the education of more than 100 students staying in this village. This apart, these people don’t have another place to go and are receiving threats. Therefore, the government must look into the matter and stand by the distressed,” said Bidhan Chandra Jena, social activist fighting against the eviction drive decision.
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