JAGATSINGHPUR: Tension erupted again at Gobindpur village under Dhinkia panchayat over construction of boundary wall by Idco on the land that was acquired in the village for Posco steel plant project.On Thursday, hundreds of villagers stopped the construction work demanding fulfilment of their demands raised during a meeting on October 25. They said though the villagers had extended their support to the construction in the last meeting, the authorities have failed to fulfil the demands.
They had demanded employment opportunities for the affected persons, allowance to betel vine labourers, compensation towards cutting of cashew trees, conservation of 70 acres of land for pastures, temples and playground and withdrawal of false cases against villagers. As the administration did not take any step in this regard after the last meeting, the irate villagers on Thursday stopped the work.
Later, the district administration convened a meeting with the villagers of Gobindpur and members of four forest committees of Tentulia, Akhandalmani, Maa Mangala and Ram Chandi at the collectorate. The villagers also submitted their 11-point charter of demands to the administration.
Magu Charan Nayak, a villager, said at the meeting that the supporters of local MLA Prasant Muduli gave their consent to extend their support for construction of Idco boundary wall. But the villagers have decided to continue their protest till the demands are fulfilled.
Collector Yamini Sarangi said the administration will start survey work in the village from Monday to provide compensation to betel vine owners. There is no provision to demolish forest cover and betel vines during construction of boundary wall, she added. Among others, the local MLA, SP JN Pankaj, Idco officials and elected representatives were present.