Police-locals clash during land acquisition for mega cement project in Odisha

A tense situation unfolded in Sundargarh district’s Rajgangpur area during land acquisition for the Dalmia Cement project on Wednesday. Confrontation broke out between locals and police personnel during the process linked to the expansion of Lanjiberna limestone mines.

Also Read: Tribals stage massive protest against mining expansion in Odisha

Reports indicate that scuffles occurred as police began acquiring agricultural land belonging to tribal communities despite strong opposition from villagers. Around 10 platoons of police forces were deployed at the site to manage the situation.

Around 14 villagers were detained for protesting against the move. The land acquisition had earlier been halted midway in December last year due to resistance from locals.

The process had resumed in the morning under police supervision. Authorities reportedly initiated the acquisition of nearly 9.22 acres of land in Bihabandh under Rajgangpur tehsil and 27.26 acres in the Lanjiberna area under Kutra tehsil.

Villagers alleged that the land acquisition was being carried out without consent from the landowners or approval from the Gram Sabha. Under the banner of ‘Forum for Gram Sabha’, hundreds of locals gathered to oppose what they termed as the forced acquisition of tribal agricultural land.

No comments were received from either the protestors or the local police in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier, hundreds of tribal villagers had staged a massive protest against the proposed mine expansion project at Lanjiberna on January 19.

Opposing land acquisition for the expansion of a mining project owned by the company, the protesters had staged a 12-hour blockade on the Sundargarh-Rajgangpur main road.

Residents of five panchayats adjoining Lanjiberna have been opposing the land acquisition for the mine expansion. Raising strong slogans, the locals had asserted that they would rather die than give up even an inch of their land.

"We had already informed the authorities about the injustice being done to us. We have been protesting against the attempt to acquire our land with the support of the State government and the police under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. As part of this protest, we have taken to the streets today,” a resident of Rajgangpur, Albert Kindo, had said.

“We have clearly informed the government that we will not give up our lands. Despite this, the administration is continuing with the land acquisition process. We have already brought this matter to the notice of the Governor and District Collector. If the administration proceeds further, it will be solely responsible for the consequences,” Albert Kindo had added.

Reported By: Debabrata