The agitation by the Joint Action Committee backed by several organisations has continued for over 50 days, but none of their demands has been fulfilled so far. Finally at a meeting held at the Town Hall here on Sunday, the members and representatives of different organisations discussed about the future course of action and decided to intensify the movement by calling an indefinite economic blockade throughout the district from April 9. According to the decision of committee, a Mashal rally would be organised on Tuesday evening at Keonjhar headquarters, Anandpur and Champua. The committee along with its supporters decided to oppose celebration of the Kendujhar Mahotsav on April 1 followed by blockade of minerals transportation from mines and industries by road and rail from April 2 to 8.
If the Government still turns deaf ears to the demands then an economic blockade for an indefinite period would be resorted to from April 9. A team would submit a memorandum of their demand to the Prime Minister when he would be visiting Rourkela on April 1. A total of 26 organisations have been on agitation demanding setting up of a mega steel plant, a Government medical college, a university and a rail link to Champua and Anandpur. Dharnas and mass demonstrations still continue at Anandpur, Champua and Keonjhar where hundreds of locals join the agitation every day.
