A group of social activists led by Bikram Panda have embarked on an indefinite dharna since Monday to press their demand of reopening of two major industries here, the Birla Tyres and the Balasore Alloys which have been closed for long.
People from various walks of life including former Union Minister and former Baleswar MP Srikant Jena and former MLA JP Dash and Debiprasanna Chand joined the agitation.
Bikram Panda said, “These two units were established during the time of massive industrialisation in the State in the 1980. Hundreds of families were depending on them due to direct and indirect employment. The Baleswar market was also benefited by the units. They were the prides of the State, not only of the district. Unfortunately, they stopped their production and the employees were left in the lurch. No one has taken genuine interest for their reopening. We won’t call off the agitation till any concrete assurance given by the district administration. One of our agitators today became sick and he is undergoing treatment in the District Headquarters Hospital. Yet, we will continue our agitation till our mission is accomplished.”