Youth hit by JCB machine during protest over railway project, dies in Rourkela

A young protester died during protests against a railway line construction in the Bandhmunda-Barkani region of Rourkela on Saturday. The tragic incident has reportedly intensified local opposition, as family members hold a vigil by the site, refusing to move the body.

As per reports, the young man was accidentally hit by a JCB machine during the protest, which led to his death. This incident has heightened tensions and led to a standoff between police forces and the local community.

Agitation is evident among the locals, reflecting the community's steadfast opposition to the railway initiative by the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). 

Officials of the district administration are in discussions with the community to address the situation. However, authorities of RSP are yet to reach the spot to initiate any kind of discussion with the agitating villagers. Hence, question mark has been raised over the intention of RSP.

12 Hour Bandhmunda Bandh Today

As per reports, the agitating villagers have called for 12 hour Bandhmunda bandh from 6am to 6 pm on Sunday over the incident. Though officials of the district administration and the police personnel tried to pacify the villagers by remaining present at the spot, nothing could be materialised to normalise the situation.

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

As per sources, the villagers are demanding that RSP should hand over the encroached land to the villagers on which the proposed project has been planned to be set up. Though the administration is ready to provide proper compensation and other facilities to the villagers, they are hell bent on their demands.