Bargaon: Resentment brewed among residents of Itama village under the police station in Bargarh district even as an explosive depot was found running inside the forest here for last few years.
The villagers threatened to take to streets if the administration does not take immediate measures to close the unit running close to the residential area since 2011.
Itama sarpanch Lalita Pradhan said the depot owner has been running the illegal business without the consent of Gram Sabha. The villagers had been demanding closure of the illegal godown as explosive materials and detonators stocked in it posed hazards to the lives of people and animals in the jungles. A resolution was passed against the depot at a special Gram Sabha called January 26 last year. In another village committee meet also, the members unanimously agreed to take measures to ensure closure of the unit.
When the village committee members approached Agrawal over the issue, the latter claimed that he opened the depot after getting consent from the district collector and the superintendent of police. He also added that he ran the depot after getting approval from the village committee which is false, the sarpanch pointed out.
According to villagers, explosive materials and detonators are transported to the depot by vehicles late in night every day. Passing of explosive-laden vehicles pose threat to the lives of locals and students.
They rued that even though multiple resolutions were taken in gram sabha meetings against the unit, no measures have been taken in this regard.
Ratindra Kumar Nayak, a villager, said the owner runs the business by greasing the palms of officials as nothing happens to him even though several resolutions have been passed in the gram sabha against the unit. He added that vehicles transporting explosives to the unit carry timber from the jungle on their return.
Paramananda Das, a teacher of Itama primary school, said the detonator-laden vehicles pass through the road adjacent to the institution posing life-threats to the children. The administration should take measures to close the unit or divert the transportation route.
PNN
