The demand for the district status to Padampur sub division gathered steam in the run up to the bypoll to Padampur assembly constituency with a local outfit staging a sit-in on Monday.
Members of Padampur Proposed District Central Action Committee staged a demonstration outside the office of Sub-collector to press for their demand.
On Sunday, Finance Minister and Bhatli MLA Sushant Singh met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and held a discussion on the issue.
The Members of Padampur Proposed District Central Action Committee alleged that they had discussion with the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard in the presence of leaders from three political outfits in 2019. Though the Chief Minister had assured to fulfil their demand, it is yet to be done.
“This time, we don’t need any sort of discussion. All we want the Chief Minister to make an announcement in this regard at the earliest”, the protestors said.
Meanwhile, Rajboda Sambar Krishak Association staged a demonstration in front of the Sub-Collector’s office demanding insurance premium and input subsidy. Despite staging protest for last 14 months, the district administration is yet to pay heed to their demands, they complained.
Farmers have urged political leaders to refrain from filing nomination papers so that they could get justice. If political figures will file nomination papers, residents will give their reply in voting.
Police, on the other hand, beefed up security arrangement outside the Sub-Collector to avoid any untoward incident.
“We are yet to get drought compensation and input subsidy. Despite yielding good crops this year, the administration did not open mandis. This prompted us to stage a demonstration. All we want political parties to refrain from filing nomination papers so that we can get justice”, said an agitating farmer.