Mass dharna against JR Power Plant

ANGUL: Woman and children have joined the mass dharna at Baramalia opposing the proposed J R Power Plant here. After numerous bandhs, blockades and demonstrations, the residents of Kishorenagar resorted to mass dharna at the site on March 10 where the company had initiated land acquisition.The company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government in April 2010. However, even after two years, no officials have dared to enter the site area following protests. The residents are opposing the project on the ground that the land here was fertile and the project would involve large-scale displacement.Jiban Jibika Surakhya Samiti president Dinabandhu Pradhan said, “Giving scant regard to our demand for an irrigation project, Sureswari, the Government has forced upon us a power plant.”A senior district administration official  said the Government had been apprised about the demands. The power plant having a capacity of 1980 MW would involve land acquisition in 15 villages of Kishorenagar block under Athmallick sub-division.