Bhubaneswar: Tension erupted in Daruthenga village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar as locals in large numbers protested the dumping yard in the area and clashed with police while trying to enter the yard. Hundreds of villagers gathered at the spot to protest dumping of waste materials in the area.
The administration deployed as many as 18 platoons of police force to keep the situation under control.
Police commissioner YB Khurania, along with Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation (BMC) commissioner Dr Krishan Kumar inspected the spot supervising the dumping operation undertaken amid high security.
"We are looking for an additional site for dumping the garbage. We are trying our best to do the maximum for the benefits of the people within the legal framework and it will continue in the days to come," Kumar told media.
Irate over the garbage dumping in the area, locals had a scuffle with the police leading to minor injuries.
"Not less than 40 local residents have been arrested. Besides the women have been injured in the clash with police. We will give the administration a fitting reply. From tomorrow, we are going to sit on hunger strike which will be assisted by residents of 11 panchayats," Prashant Routroy, a local said.
According to sources, a BMC dumping vehicle reached the waste treatment plant set up at the Bhuasuni Mouza of Daruthenga to dispose of waste. But villagers gathered in numbers and protested the dumping.
The situation soon became tense as villagers clash with police while trying to enter the dumping yard. 18 platoons of police force was deployed to keep the situation under control.