Duburi: Tension ran high after hundreds of farmers here in Jajpur district begged for alms at Duburi market, before setting their land pattas, sale deeds and ploughs on fire under Biju Patnaik statue in the market protesting government inaction over forcible land acquisition for Sukinda- Angul- Duburi rail route Wednesday.
The farmers comprising hundreds of women from Duburi village under Sukinda tehsil claimed that the administration was forcibly acquiring hundreds of acres registered in their names in Duburi under Duburi revenue circle for the rail project without paying them compensations.
The consultancy agency has taken possession of the land and has started laying rail tracks for the project. Tension was palpable as Kalinganagar police kept a close watch on the situation as it unfolded.
This has deprived them of their livelihood, they alleged. They have staged several agitations in the past but to no avail as the government never gave a patient hearing to their pleas.
They questioned for whom the government has implemented KALIA and Peetha schemes when it is not in a mood to address their pleas. They said it is of no use to keep their land pattas, sale deeds and ploughs.
Affected farmers of five villages Rangahudi, Bagharasahi, Kharakhia, Jhumpana and Duburi under the aegis of Sukinda Bhumiputra Mahila, Krushak Adhikar Surakshya Sangathana started a rally from the old square and stopped at the Traffic Square where they gave away various slogans against the state government for its anti-farmer policies.
Later, they assembled under the Biju Patnaik statue and set their land pattas, sale deeds and ploughs on fire. Tears were flowing down the cheeks of farmers when they were seen burning their valued possessions.
They claimed they have lost their land which they have been tilling for the last 70-80 years. Sources said the railway authorities have acquired 56 acres out of 637 acres in plot no-101/28/01 under Khata no127.
This has happened as land settlement works have not been carried out in Duburi since 1926 for which the lands under Khata no-127 have been mentioned as sal forest in government records. The farmers have been deprived of compensations as the government has not taken up settlement works on land under Khata no-127.
Farmer leaders Geetarani Mohanta, Belabati Mohanta, Minu Mohanta, Sumati Mohanta, Ajaya Kumar Jena, Sarat Mohanta, Kulamani Sethi and others led the agitation. When contacted, Duburi revenue inspector Bidyadhar Sahu said a total of 20.5 acres under plot no-101/28/01 and Khata no-127 of 55 farmers have been acquired for the rail project while the rest is used by the farmers.
PNN
