Sundaragada/Hemgir: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Wednesday observed a 12-hour economic blockade in Sundaragada district from 6 am to 6 pm in protest against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
The blockade held in the coal mining areas of MCL, OCPL, NTPC and Vedanta, disrupted coal mining and transportation. Led by Sundaragada MLA and district BJD president Jogesh Kumar Singh, senior BJD leaders, including Nayagada MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, tribal leader Sudam Marndi, former minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, former MP Pradeep Majhi, state Biju Mahila Janata Dal president Snehangini Chhuria, Padampur MLA Barsha Singh Bariha, Debagada MLA Romancha Ranjan Biswal and Zilla Parishad chairperson Kunti Pradhan, joined the protest.
The leaders alleged that the proposed MMDR amendment was aimed at weakening the state’s rightful authority over its mineral resources.
They demanded that the state’s rights over revenue, royalties and other fi nancial benefi ts generated from mineral resources be protected.
The BJD said it would not accept any law or amendment detrimental to the interests of Odisha.
District and local leaders, elected representatives, party workers and members of the public participated in the programme.
District women’s wing president Ranjana Panda coordinated the programme.
Hemgir block president Sukanta Pati, block MLA representative Sunil Pattajoshi, farmer leader Gopal Chandra Pradhan, Ashwini Kumar Naik, former deputy municipal chairperson Sumanta Panda, block youth president Kalakahnu Meher and Prakash Bohidar were among those present.
District office-bearers, block and municipal organisational leaders, former elected representatives and functionaries of the youth, student and women’s wings also participated.