Puri: As many as 30 families residing in Kurupal village under Krushnaprasad block of Puri district continued their dharna in front of Krushnaprasad tehsil office today to show grievances over their social ostracization from the village for some political reasons since 2019 general polls.
Though members of the ostracised families tried negotiating with the villagers and concerned officials in this regard yesterday, but as the matter could not resolved, the aggrieved families launched a demonstration.
“Since 28 years, we are being forced by the villagers to vote for a particular political party. When we opposed, we were tortured, ostracised and even penalized during the elections. But now, we cannot take the pain anymore and therefore have decided to stage dharna. Unless we get justice over the matter we will not back down from the agitation,” alleged a villager Subash Chandra Jena.
The families alleged that even though they have been deprived of availing government grants and funds, the concerned administration has not taken any action against the villagers after repeated complaints.
“We had intimated the matter to the local Tehsildar and police station Inspector-in-charge on multiple occassions. We also approached the Chief Minister’s grievance cell with our complaint twice but our pleas have remained unheard so far," added Jena.
Another ostracised member of a family, Santosh Kumar Sundara said, “We have been shunned by the villagers due to which we are facing a lot of hardship to survive during past several months. We have no other alternatives than to die here protesting."
Meanwhile, the other group of locals of Kurupal village and the officials of the block administration are yet to comment on the matter.
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