Villagers interrupt work on Eastern Peripheral Highway

Locals in Fajjupur village of the district today interrupted work at Eastern Peripheral Highway demanding higher compensation for the land acquired by the government.
They pelted stones on the labour and staff of the contractor on the highway today. The villagers also damaged the machinery on the site.
Jagat Bhati, spokesperson of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti alleged that the district administration has actually violated the understanding they had with the village Panchayat.
He said that the matter of deciding higher compensation to the villagers for the land the government has acquired is still pending.
"It was to be discussed in a meeting with the district administration on November 5. It was decided between both the parties that the work on the project would be started only after a decision is taken in the matter on November 5," he said.

However, in the morning of Wednesday the villagers saw the staff and workers working on the project site.

On being challenged they stopped the work but again started after some time, said Bhati.
However, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Agrawal said that the matter has been discussed with the protesting villagers.
"Actually the contractor has reached there for measurement of the land available, which villagers took to start of work on the project," he said.
The Commissioner said that in a couple of days the things would be resolved.