Nabarangpur/Tentulikhunti: A large public rally was held Thursday at Hirmimunda ground in Tentulikhunti block of Nabarangpur district to oppose a proposed nuclear power plant. The Anabaika Shakti Prakalpa Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (Nuclear Power Project Resistance Struggle Committee) organised the event, which focused on protecting water, land, forests, livelihoods and the environment. Congress and Biju Janata Dal leaders, former legislators, women’s groups, farmers’ organisations, youth groups and representatives of various social outfits attended the meeting.
Speakers alleged that the state-owned NTPC is conducting a survey for the plant in Hirmimunda under Pujarigu da panchayat of Tentulikhunti block. They said land, ground water levels and geographical conditions were being examined through various agencies without adequately informing the local residents. They also objected that preparations for such a large project were underway without seeking residents’ views at gram sabhas and palli sabhas. Pradeep Majhi, the BJD’s state working president for tribal cell and a former MP, said op position to the proposed plant in Nabarangpur district has intensified.
Alleging that the project has the backing of the Bharati ya Janata Party (BJP), he called for formation of a committee of residents from Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts in order to resist the proposed project. Majhi said responsible people should be put in charge of the committee. He stressed the need to gather financial, moral and public support to broaden the movement.
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Opposition leaders and local residents said they will not allow a proposed nuclear power project in Nabarangpur district under any circumstances and vowed to intensify their movement against it. Dabugaon MLA Manohar Randhari sharply criticised the BJP governments at the Centre and state. He said that the issue will be raised in the state Assembly and the fight will continue at the political level. Randhari said the struggle will not be limited to the district or state and protests will also be held in New Delhi. He said that will require financial support, strong resolve and public backing.
Speakers urged people to unite as in the independence movement and take a collective pledge to oppose the project. Lanjigada MLA Pradeep Dishari said forming a joint committee and planning strategy for future protests has now become important.
Other speakers included BJD’s district president Manjula Majhi, Congress district president Lipika Majhi, former MLAs Sadashiv Pradhani and Bhujabal Majhi, and senior Congress leader Muna Tripathy. They said a nuclear power project cannot be easily accepted in a backwards district like Nabarangpur, where residents live peacefully on their ancestral land. They said the project would lead to land acquisition, displacement, environmental pollution and damage to agriculture, which is the livelihood of people. They also said the effects would reach neighbouring Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput districts. Rajesh Jani alleged that 35 villages could be affected. He said more than 100 families could lose their homes, farmland and traditional livelihoods.
The Sangram Samiti, the group leading the protest, warned that it will intensify the district-wide people’s movement if the proposal is not withdrawn. Prahllad Hial, Congress leader Akhil Bhatra, P Nagaratnam and many other leaders, activists and residents attended the gathering.
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