The investigation of displaced villagers of Kansbans and Gamei river renovation project was completed by Special Rapporteur Damodar Sarangi of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Bhadrak and Balswar districts.
The four-day- long investigation of the displacement issue concluded after the Rapporteur visited Sudarshanpur, Chudamani and other areas of Basudevpur block and subsequently visited the affected areas of Baleswar district.
He was informed that no compensation has been paid, nor any peripheral development work has been undertaken by the administration till date. The last meeting was held at cyclone center of Gudu of Soro block in Baleswar district.
It was the consistent effort of noted social activist Radhakanta Tripathy that brought a ray of hope for the lakhs of victims after the NHRC was apprised of the issue and the latter deputed its officials for investigation of the large scale human rights violation, forceful displacement of more than 5,000 people, including Dalits and poor farmers and illegal encroachment of hundreds of acres of land.
The NHRC earlier had sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Chief Secretary of the State and got the matter investigated by its team.
The previous investigation team of the NHRC in the year 2013 allegedly could not carry the investigation in true sense and spirit.
The then head of the investigation team of the NHRC DSP KHC Rao allegedly threatened one Susant Jena and other Chasi Mulia activists.
Pointing out the illegalities in the project, Tripathy had requested the NHRC to ensure compensation as per the land Acquisition Act and rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced people in Kansbans-Gamei Sanskar project, besides taking care of the environment at large and ensure human rights of the affected villagers as they are victims of forced displacement.