Sec 144 imposed at Belabahali in Keonjhar

Anandpur:  In a bid to avoid any untoward incident during its third attempt to resume the construction work of a new bridge on Kusei river near Belabahali village of Anandpur sub division in Keonjhar, the district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under Sec 144 in the area.

According to sources, elaborate security arrangements have been made at the proposed construction site to avoid any unpleasant incident.

18 platoons of armed policemen have been deployed near the construction site to ensure uninterrupted work. Section 144 has been clamped in the area, the sources added.

Earlier yesterday, the district collector, SP and other administrative officials hold an important meeting to resume the construction work.

Notably, the people of Belabahali and nearby villages are protesting the decision of the NHAI and the district administration to construct a new bridge on NH-215.

While the villagers were hopeful that their demand for relocation of the bridge site would be considered, a notification for construction of a new bridge by the Centre issued on June 15 has put paid to any such hope.