Land losers protest JSPL, Dhamra port projects

At a time when mega industrial projects have been stalled over land acquisition row, land losers have protested against two major players- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and Dhamara Port Company Ltd (DPCL) over rehabilitation issues.

While tension erupted during the public hearing on environment impact assessment for second phase expansion of Dhamra Port, villagers affected by the six million tonne per annum integrated steel plant of Naveen Jindal controlled Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) near Angul, threatened to hold an economic blockade against the company.

During the public hearing on Dhamra port expansion, being conducted by Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) at Dosinga village, the affected villagers held demonstrations and dharna demanding jobs in the project and other benefits. They were supported by the local units of various political parties like Congress, BJP and CPI.

Similarly, the JSPL project affected villagers, united under the banner of ‘Birankeswar Silpanchal Praja Sangh’, gathered in front of the Angul district collectorate on Wednesday morning for three hours, demanding fulfillment of two demands.

They were demanding convening of meeting of the Rehabilitation & Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC). The agitators also wanted a halt in construction work by JSPL till the RPDAC meeting is convened. They demanded job for at least one member of each of the families of land oustees and compensation of Rs 50 lakh per acre of land acquired by the company since 2005 at Nisha.

It may be noted that in February, construction work on JSPL’s steel project had stopped for nearly a month in the wake of a stir by villagers, protesting brutal lathi charge by the company's security men that left several people injured.