Jhumpura: A private company, which is into the mining business, has been accused of grabbing the lands of tribals in Basantpur panchayat under Jhumpura tehsil in Keonjhar district.
The firm has laid a road on the land. Sources said the tribals have got records of rights on the land.
The affected people like Sunamani Majhi, Sukra Munda, Nandakishore Munda, Gura Munda and Jaga Munda alleged that they had taken up the issue with the district administration, but the latter did not pay heed to their plight.
Reports said Essar company has a benefaction plant at Dubuna. The company has set up a pump house near Baitarani river and supplies water to its plant.
The company laid pipelines on the land of the tribals. Besides, it has built a road on the land to facilitate communication to the pump house.
Guidelines say— the land made available under FRA will not be used otherwise for any activities.
However, the company, while laying a road in 2011-12, lured tribals on promise of jobs and grabbed their lands, but provided nothing, it is alleged.
The affected families also accused the company officials of threatening them.
However, no company officials were available for comments on the issue.
Bamebari IIC Paresh Mohanty denied allegation of threat to the tribals by the private firm.
Jhumpura tehsildar Janak Nayak said that there is no written complaint from anyone in this regard. “But I would look into the issue,” he added.
