Locals alleged that the health condition of many villagers has deteriorated over a period of time by consuming iron particles containing water from the tubewell in the village.
They have also alleged that 30 more people of the village are currently affected with such kidney ailments.
"I have been suffering from kidney related disease for the last 4 years that's why I have to visit Cuttack Medical College and Hospital once in every 2 to 3 months," a local Chandramani Parida said.
Another resident Bikramaditya Panda said, "Many of us are suffering from kidney-related disease as we are forced to drink the polluted water from the tubewell. Government has set up an overhead tank but there is no supply of water yet.”
Responding to the allegations, Kamkhyanagar Block Development Officer (BDO) Jyoti Shankar Sahu said that the concerned department is trying to extend the water supply project in the area and the water from the tubewell will also be treated.
"We already have a water supply project in that area but there is a need to extend it to other areas. The junior engineer has been informed regarding this and the issue will be resolved soon," Sahu added.
According to sources, three years have elapsed since the poles were installed in the village, but no electricity connection has been provided by the administration yet.
“In 2015 they installed the poles in the village, provided us with electric meters, wires and other equipment, but the power supply is yet to be provided. After repeated pleas, the authorities are yet to take any steps in the last three years”, said a villager.
“We are facing a lot of problems due to lack of power. Kerosene lamps are the only source of light for us during night and children are forced to study under the lamps,” rued another villager.
Even if the Komna sub-station is just 500 metres away from the village, the administration is showing no inclination towards providing electricity connection, added sources.
On the other hand officials of WESCO, Nuapada informed that electricity to the households will be provided as early as possible.
“Some of the villages were left out after poles were installed. The contractors and NTPC have been instructed to expedite the work and supply electricity to the households as early as possible,” executive engineer of WESCO Nuapada, Anupam Sailabhadra Das said.
According to sources, a pair of gold earrings was allegedly stolen from the house of one Kasim Uddin of the village. He later sought the help of a black magic practitioner to nab the thief.
As soon as the black magician reached the village, a youth of the village challenged him to prove his expertise by going through a test. The youth reportedly took the cellphone of another youth and announced that it was stolen and asked the black magician to identify the thief.
The magician performed rituals with a stick and chanted hymns. Eventually, he identified an elderly man as the thief instead of the actual person who had taken the cellphone, informed sources.
As the magician miserably failed to prove his magical power, he faced humiliation. He was also forced to return Rs 5,000 he had taken as advance from Kasim Uddin to trace the thief.
Though the incident has gone viral on the social media, it has raised concerns as to how people in Odisha still believe in such regressive practices.
As per reports, the girl used to work as domestic help at the residence of Sarpanch Amulya Biswal where he allegedly raped her several times. The matter came to light after family members of the girl found that she was 7-month pregnant.
When they inquired about the matter, the survivor failed to narrate the ordeal she went through, as she can't speak or hear, however, she managed to identify the accused.
Despite a complaint before the village panchayat, no action was taken against the accused instead the survivor and her family members were warned by the village Kangaroo court to suppress the matter. The survivor also allegedly received death threat from some people.
Speaking on the incident, brother of the survivor said, "My sister was impregnated by Amulya. He must marry her and take care of the child after her delivery."
Later, when the family members of the girl brought the matter to the notice of Kalahandi Superintendent of Police, he assured to take stringent action against the accused.
After a preliminary probe, police today arrested the prime accused in connection with the incident.
Responding to the case, Junagarh MLA Dibyashankar Mishra said, "I have spoken to the SP regarding the case. The accused will be punished after the completion of investigation."
Without a proper road to commute, the locals of Tinaposi village under Kusumi block in Mayurbhanj district have to wade through knee-deep water even after a short spell of rain. Moreover, whatever remains in the name of road, it is posing threat to the commuters because of its dilapidated condition.
After complaining several times the authorities have constructed a culvert over a nallah, but without a motorable road the construction is of no use, locals alleged.
“We are facing serious problems due to lack of proper road. After several complaints, the culvert was constructed. But it is of no use because it gets inundated easily,” Jagannath Patra, a local alleged.
After complaints, the Block Development Officer (BDO), Laxman Soren visited the site and assured construction of a new road.
“We are trying to construct the road. We are considering all aspects on how the road can be constructed,” the BDO said.
The residents of Totasahi under Jaripada block in Cuttack district are bearing the same suffering. The road in the village has been lying in a miserable state and the potholes on it have made commuting a risky affair.
After several complaints went in vain, the villagers staged a unique protest by planting paddy saplings on the road and threatened to intensify the protest if their demands are not met.
“We are facing serious problems due to the poor condition of the road. We have to shoulder patients for three-four kilometres as ambulances don’t come citing the bad road condition. If our problems are not addressed soon, we will block the road and sit on a protest,” said Lingaraj Barik, a resident of Totasahi.
Reacting on the complaints, Tangi BDO, Binod Kumar Senapati said, “I am not sure if the road is constructed by Rural Development department or the panchayat. If the road is constructed by the panchayat, then I will speak to the local sarpanch and initiate process for the road construction.”
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
Also Read:
Substandard Road Work Fumes Khurda Locals
Villagers In Odisha Build Own Road After Govt Snub