Tension erupts over RSP railway line construction in Rourkela; 1 dead, several police personnel injured

A major conflict broke out in the Bondamunda area under the Rourkela jurisdiction during a protest against the construction of a new railway line near Barkani village by Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). The situation turned tragic and violent when a youth lost his life after being allegedly crushed by a JCB machine that was moving forward during the construction work on Saturday.

The incident occurred as local residents were staging a protest against the ongoing construction of the railway track. The demonstrators were reportedly trying to block the advancement of the machinery involved in the construction when the JCB moved forward, leading to the unfortunate death of a young protester.

“They had erected a barricade and, using force, they tried to chase us. They were forcibly carrying out the work,” said an agitator.

Another agitator said, “Yesterday, we had staged a demonstration and the Tehsildar had asked us to meet ADM. We had clearly stated that no work should be undertaken without prior consultation with ADM. When we went to have a discussion with ADM, they started the work.”

The agitator alleged that the plant is illegal, and they are trying to take over our land forcibly.

“Our delegation had met ADM, and the villagers had urged not to carry out the works near our farmlands. Later, we came to learnt that there had been a violent protest at the spot. We had no information about the incident, and we then rushed to the spot,” said a member of the delegation.

Police Personnel Attacked

The news of the youth's death sparked widespread outrage among the local community. Enraged by the incident, the protesters launched an aggressive attack on the police present at the site. Reports indicate that the crowd used sharp weapons and hurled stones at the police force, injuring at least five to six officers. The injured personnel have been admitted to Rourkela Government Hospital for treatment.

Following the escalation, a heavy police presence was deployed in the area to bring the situation under control and prevent further violence. Authorities are also investigating the circumstances that led to the fatality, with questions being raised over the coordination between the construction team and local administration during such a sensitive project.

The protest was in opposition to the new railway line construction, which locals claim is being carried out without proper rehabilitation or consent from affected villagers. The incident has not only highlighted the local resentment over displacement but has also intensified the debate over how infrastructure development should be handled in sensitive zones.

District officials and senior police personnel have appealed for peace and assured that a thorough probe will be conducted into the matter. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem, and an official statement from the authorities is awaited.

As tensions remain high in Barkani and nearby areas, local administration is on high alert to prevent further outbreaks of violence.