Nuapada: Work on the Lower Indravati Irrigation Project started around 19 years ago. At that time there were strong protests by people displaced by the project. The government had given a written assurance to them promising to accept all their demands.
The Lower Indravati Sahayata Samiti blocked the National Highway two months back raising their demands. The district administration had then assured the protesters that their demands would be accepted within a month.
But now the Samiti is staging a dharna since February 13 in front of the Lower Indravati Irrigation Project Chief Engineer’s office.
Sources said thousands of families were displaced by the irrigation project as they lost around 29,000 hectares of land.
The project will irrigate 13,000 hectares in Nuapada district and around 16,000 hectares in Bolangir district.
The displaced people had approached the court and it had ordered in their favour. The government seems to be reluctant to implement the order, the Samiti officials alleged. They fear that the government may drive away the displaced people by filling up the reservoir.
The construction of the dam was given priority instead of issues confronting the displaced. Around 2,937 displaced people have not got compensation.
They have warned that they would boycott the coming general elections if they do not get their dues in time. The office bearers of the Samiti also warned that they would hold a protest in Bhubaneswar.
The Lower Indravati Sahayata Samiti representatives are secretary Nityananda Pradhan and members Raghubir Dash, Brundaban Mahananda, Umara Sahu, Umesh Patel, Gopal Majhi, Radheshyam Behera, Bana Majhi, Dasaru Jagat, Hemant Nial, Gopi Gouda and Hrishi Behera.
PNN
