SUNDARGARH: Two and a half months after water supply to the staff colony of an industry at Aam Ghat in Rajgangpur town was forcibly stopped by a group of tribals, Sundargarh police on Monday imposed prohibitory order in the area and restored water supply.
In the second week of April, the tribals from Kesramal panchayat owing allegiance to PESA Gram Sabha Committee had locked the pump house and demanded the industry to pay a monthly charge of ` one lakh and a total fine of `30 lakh for using water.
DIG of Police (Western Range) Kabita Jalan said police removed the obstruction put up by the trouble-mongers and four platoons of forces have been deployed in Aam Ghat area. Anybody involved in illegal activities would face strict police action, she said adding a case was earlier registered and those involved would be arrested.
Incidentally, the police action came close on the heels of the arrest of 47 villagers including 26 women of Barpali village of Rajgangpur block who owed allegiance to another PESA Committee. They had demolished the boundary wall of a private industry and assaulted security guards on June 25.
Amid these activities of the PESA activists, a group of villagers of Budakata in adjacent Kutra block had clashed with supporters of ‘Pathalgadi’ on June 18 and half a dozen villagers from both sides were injured. Later, one injured youth succumbed and police arrested half a dozen people from both sides.
47 villagers arrested
On June 25, police had arrested 47 villagers, including 26 women, of Barpali village of Rajgangpur block, who owing allegiance to another self-declared PESA Gram Sabha Committee, had demolished the boundary wall of a private industry and assaulted security guards on June 25.