Mrunal Manmay Dash

Noted Environmentalist Dr Rajendra Singh also known as the 'Waterman of India' arrived in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to extend his support to the 'Kharasrota Banchao' movement launched to protest the mega drinking water project in Kendrapara district.

Following arrival, Singh interacted with media persons about his plans in Odisha. "I am here to convey my support to the Kharasrota Banchao movement. The government is not taking the movement in a positive note, rather arresting the protesters," Singh said.

"The water of Kharasarota river does not belong to some private organisation. Every common man has right over it. I condemn these arrests of peaceful protesters and I will make sure that this movement becomes a success here in Odisha," he added.

Targetting the State government, Singh said that the move by the State government violates the "Right to Live" of the common man. “We do not want privatisation of river water. We rather want communitisation,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the Congress party on Tuesday sought the intervention of the Governor of Odisha in the matter. A fact finding team from the party met Governor, Professor Ganeshi Lal, and presented a 3-point memorandum to him. Few days back a team of BJP Delegation Visited Site, Demands Immediate Cease Work.

Demanding justice for the people of Kendrapara the Congress stated in the memorandum that the locals should get the benefits of the river water on priority basis. A barrage should be constructed in the river to provide drinking water to the locals and to ensure that saline water did not submerge the farmlands of the area.

The party also warned of intensifying protests if their demands were not met with and the administration went ahead to distribute the river water to the private factories and plants.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Kendrapara district administration on August 14 began execution of the drinking water project on Kharasrota river amid tight security following fierce protest by the locals.

As many as 22 platoons of police force have been deployed at the project site while 100 police officials mobilised to prevent any untoward incident.

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