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Villagers facing displacement narrate woes

BHUBANESWAR: Despite the tall claims by the State government that it has formulated the best Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy, resentments among villagers facing displacement are getting intensified thick and fast in areas where vast patches of land are acquired to facilitate new industrial projects.

It became evident from the scene when a group of elderly women could not hold their tears just outside Chief Minister’s office here on Wednesday describing the torture meted out to them in their villages.

Ironically, by that time Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, his senior Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, MPs and senior officials converged to review rehabilitation and resettlement programmes inside the conference room at the Secretariat.

“I was sent to jail for 16 days in March 2005. I was among four women who was harassed by the police. Altogether 21 villagers were picked up. Our only fault was that we mustered courage to demand permanent job for our children in lieu of our land,” Sashi Bhoi, a resident of Sibapur village in Dhenkanal district, told reporters.

Similarly, Ketaki Behera, an old woman from Serpa village, narrated that the police had beaten villagers black and blue irrespective of their age and gender on June 10 last. Showing the injury marks, Ms. Behera said her husband had been bed-ridden since then.

There were more voices of resent. Peramananda Senapati, who gave away 1.72 acre of land hoping to arrange jobs for his children in the steel company, said industries and district administration were now a “joined force” and previous agreements were thrown to dustbin.

About 20 odd-villagers came from the five villages near Bhusan Steel and Strip’s upcoming project in Meramunduli. Violence erupted on June 10 when villagers tried to stop construction demanding settlement of their compensation package. Villagers said: “They have now turned daily labourers from farmers after giving their land at throw away price. We don’t want any job, instead land should be returned to us.” Emerging from over two-hour-long meeting, Chief Minister reiterated that the State had formulated the best R&R policy in the country and emphasis was being given to improve employability among unemployed youths.

However, BJP Rajya Sabha member Rudra Pani, said the State should implement the rehabilitatin and resettlement policy properly.

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