Jal Satyagraha called off after Bolangir admn assurance

Bolangir: The Jal Satyagraha, launched by the Lower Suktel Action Committee on Monday in protest against the alleged apathy of Odisha Government towards the lower Suktel project displaced, was later called off in the night on the assurance of the district administration.

On Monday night, the Bolangir ADM assured the members of the committees to fulfil their demands, following which the protestors temporarily withdrew their stir. However, the protesters warned that they would intensify their stir in coming days if their demands are not met at the earliest.

Notably, the activists launched their indefinite Jal Satyagraha in river Suktel near Khagsabahal in the district braving heavy rains on Monday demanding compensation for the displaced persons according to the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy-2013 and completion of the project in stipulated time.

Later, two women Satyagrahis fell sick and were admitted to the Bolangir district headquarters hospital (DHH). The protestors had also taken out a bike rally earlier in the day.

Lower Suktel Action Committee Chairman Gopalji Panigrahi said, "We called off the Satyagraha for a temporary period on the written assurance of the the district administration. We would intensify our stir if the demands are not fulfiled in coming days."