Anti graft activist and farmer leader Debashish Hota, who has been fighting a sustained struggle against illegal displacement of Dhenkanal villagers, especially the Dalits, for establishment of several steel and power plants, has faced threats on life from several influential persons and goons.
Taking cognizance of the matter, National Human Right Commission (NHRC) Chairperson and former Chief Justice of Supreme Court KG Balkrishnan has sent a letter to the activist to meet him and discuss his problems with him in New Delhi on July 17.
Hota has also been asked to discuss the issue of forcible eviction of the poor and Dalit people and violation of human rights in his area. Krushak Sangharsh Samiti leaders will accompany Hota during his Delhi visit.
Hota, after completing a degree in electrical engineering, has been waging a long crusade for last 13 years against the company officials, district administrations and other vested interest groups, who are trying to set up several power and steel plants in Dhenkanal district in breach of all rules.
Notably, despite his complaints at several police stations, the police have failed to take action against people who have threatened Hota to kill or assaulted him physically.
For example, the Dhenkanal Town police have been totally silent on an FIR by Hota. Similarly, on April 9, 2012, ASI Duryodhan Padhy of Kamakhyanagar Police Station did not take any action against Samiti member of Mahulpal gram panchayat Susant Pattanaik, who had threatened Hota to kill him. The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) had intervened in the matter and ordered for an enquiry by the IG Police of Talcher. After the enquiry and report of the IG, SP Manoranjan Mohanty suspended ASI Padhy on April 10.