Post News Network
Joda/Keonjhar, April 2: Scores of members of Joda Anchalika Khani Prabhabita Kriyanustan Committee (JAKPKC), a local outfit, halted mineral transport through road and rail routes from operational manganese and iron ore mines in various parts of Joda circle Thursday.
Speaking on the issue, vice-chairperson of Joda municipality and JAKPKC member Surendranath Jena said though members of the outfit have been staging a sit-in for the last 50 days in support of their five-point charter of demands, the state government has not taken any action in this regard.
Their demands included a mega steel plant, a medical college, and an agriculture university in Keonjhar district, and railway connectivity to Champua and Anadapur sub-divisions.
Jena alleged the government is paying no heed to the development of the district which had been contributing revenue to the tune of crores of rupees. He warned that the government will not be allowed to receive revenue from mines any longer.
“It has been decided that mineral transport will be halted till April 8 and thereafter, the outfit will launch a total economic blockade,” Jena said.
Ashok Nayak, councillor of ward-9, said minerals will not be allowed for transport out of the district and vice versa. “The interests of the district will no more be sacrificed. If necessary, we will stage a dharna outside the Assembly,” Nayak said.
Members of JAKPKC including Ranjit Bhanjdeo, Tandra Saha, Nrupati Nayak and Berega Munda blocked mineral transport at Joda, Bansapani railway siding, Jurudi railway siding, BRL railway siding, and other places.
