Bolangir: Members of Bolangir Action Committee, an outfit fighting for the cause of people displaced by the Lower Suktel major irrigation project Monday launched a Jal Satyagraha demanding compensation and rehabilitation under the Land Acquisition Act-2013.
The protest, which began in project-hit Khagsabahal village on be banks of Suktel river would continue for an indefinite period unless their demands are fulfilled, the agitators said.
On the first day of protest, a total of 29 persons – eight women and 13 men from cut-off areas and eight action committee members – staged the demonstration which was launched at about 2 pm.
According to reports, more than a hundred protesters launched a bike rally from Koshal Kalamandal ground which culminated at Khagsabahal village under Khuntapali panchayat. Action committee president Gopaljee Panigrahi addressed a meeting held on the riverbank. The committee has resorted to agitation demanding compensation as per the land acquisition act of 2013 and speeding up the project work, he said.
Meanwhile, police stopped hundreds of people of project-affected Khuntapali village at Nadeekhandi when they were on their way to the protest site. The group was intended to oppose the Jal Satyagraha alleging the outfit has betrayed the people of cut-off regions in the name of protecting their interests.
Police prevented them apprehending law and order situation at the protest site at Khagsabahal village. Sub-collector Bimal Chandra Mohanty and SDPO Narayan Nayak held talks with the people.
On the other hand, action committee members along with other protesters entered the bamboo barricade set up in water to take part in the Satyagraha.
Sub-collector Mohanty, who was present at the site, said the administration is serious to resolve the problems of people displaced by the project. “Though we requested them to postpone the stir, they paid no heed,” the sub-collector said.
The administration deployed a platoon of police force, fire brigade personnel and medical team in the wake of the unusual protest.
A woman agitator was sent to district headquarters hospital in evening as her condition turned critical, it was learnt. PNn