Locals Oppose Expansion Of Coal Mining Operations In Odisha

Jharsuguda: Alleging that open cast coal mines in Jharsuguda district have endangered their livelihood, villagers of Tingisamal and Sahajbahal have opposed expansion of mining activities in the area.

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited has been operating both Lakahnpur and Samaleswari Open Cast Mines in Jharsuguda district. As per allegations, MCL has expanded its mining activities in the area triggering protests among the villagers of Tingisamal and Sahajbahal.

The villagers complained of harassment by the MCL authorities who allegedly forced them to vacate their houses and leave their land. Locals also alleged that regular blasting in the area for mining have damaged their houses and officials are paying no heed to their complaints.

Sources said that MCL authorities had offered them land in other places and home under government schemes, but many of the locals are demanding jobs in the organization which is why there is a dispute.

“MCL authorities are harassing us. Though, the authorities have served us notices, how can we leave our homes without proper compensation,” asked a Sahajbahal villager.

Another villager said, “We won’t leave our houses until MCL provides us jobs.”

Ahwini Kumar Mohanty, SP of Jharsuguda said, “We haven’t received any complaint yet. They had filed a writ petition in the High Court, which later directed me to take necessary action in the matter.”