Joda: People of Jalhari panchayat under Joda block in Keonjhar district launched an indefinite agitation against Sree Metaliks firm which runs a mine at Khandabandh Saturday. They accused the mining firm of reneging on its promises in the job sector. , They pressed for jobs in the mine.
Hundreds of people from various parts of the area got united under Jalhari Panchayat development Society and squatted in front of the mine. Their agitation came after they failed to have a meeting with the company management to sort out their issues Friday. The company had promised them to hold a meeting Friday, but it did not tune up. As the company Saturday knew about the locals readying for an agitation, its officials hurriedly held a meeting, but did not take any decision about the job demand of locals.
The agitating people wanted to refrain from agitation if the company officials give them a written assurance on jobs. But the mining firm did not agree on it. The locals resumed their agitation peacefully.
It was alleged that the company officials were upset by seeing the presence of media persons at the site.
Some agitators alleged that a police man threatened them for staying away from the agitation.
Locals pointed out that the promises give by the company have tuned futile. The firm promised them to hold a meeting at Bamebari police station in the presence of company officials and representatives of the local people May 25, but no meeting was held Friday.
Manager of the mining firm Mahendra Kumar Mohanty said,”Our higher officials are absent now and we can’t take any decision in the matter of employment. I will talk to the higher-ups once they come and give time for holding a discussion.”
