SAMBALPUR: The ongoing dharna by 12 Dalit and tribal families in front of the proposed plant of Visaka Industries Limited in Titkel village under Rengali block of the district entered 21st day on Monday. The agitating families are apprehensive of the company taking over the lands given to them by the Government. Since they don’t have any land pattas (proof of possession), the tribal and Dalit families seek the demarcation of their lands. While the demarcation could not be taken up for the first time due to the unrest at VSS Medical at Burla, the second date had to be postponed due to the flood. However, a fresh date has been finalised for September 22. Visaka Industries is setting up a 100,000-tonne capacity asbestos cement sheet plant here at an estimated cost of ` 40 crore. A majority of villagers has been opposing the project after they came to know that asbestos was carcinogenic. The company has been accused of grabbing 130 acres of land, including 57 acres of forest and rayati land.
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