Bhadrak: Tension ran high after local residents staged a road blockade demanding eviction from both sides of the road at Barpada near this town Monday morning.
With the protestors blocking the Bhadrak-Bant and Bhadrak-Aagarpada roads by burning tyres, the traffic has come to a grinding halt.
They alleged that the drains on both sides of the road have been encroached upon.
Consequently, the rain water flows into the nearby farmlands, causing damage to the crops.
Last year locals had staged a similar road blockade for the same reason and the administration promised a solution.
“Last year’s promise has proved to be nothing but a lip service. As no steps have so far been taken, we have been forced to hit the street,” one of the agitators said, adding that the demonstration would be intensified if the administration took no step against the encroachers this time.