Post News Network
Joda, Jan 27: Over 2,000 people from various areas of Joda Tuesday gheraoed the office of the deputy director of mines here and staged a demonstration, clamouring for reopening of mines, which have been lying closed for a long time.
The agitators gheraoed the office for about three hours. Later, a delegation of mines workers submitted a memorandum addressed to the state government through Satyananda Sahu, the deputy director of mines. Former minister Saharai Oram was part of the delegation. In the memorandum, they pleaded for immediate steps for resumption of mining activities by opening all the closed mines. Their other major demands were steps to engage trucks and dumpers in mineral transport; measures to halt fully mechanised operation of mines, employment of workers in these mines and creating job opportunities for local people.
Secretary of Joda Truck Owners’ Association Rabinarayan Das, president of the local area truckers’ body Ranjit Barik, Jalhari sarpanch Mita Munda, Panchayat Samiti member Rama Pentei, Joda civic body councillor Tandra Saha and Ranjit Bhanjdeo and other local leaders took part in the demonstration.
Local trader Ashok Nayak said people of this area have been facing a lot of problems after the closure of mines for a long time. Its impact has taken a toll on all businesses, he added. “Even people are too broke to pay the tuition fee of their children,” Nayak rued.
Basudev Nayak, a local, said most people here are largely dependent on mining activities for their livelihood, as none is engaged in agriculture. He demanded that the government should take immediate steps to resume operation of closed mines.
Police have made adequate security arrangements during the demonstration.
The deputy director of mines said the memorandum will be sent to the state government, which may take a call on the demands.
