The process of industrialisation is not an easygoing affair in the two districts of Angul and Dhenkanal. As many as 45,000 women, while battling for their rights, have been victims of police and corporate house security officials’ assault in the last 10 years of the process.
According to Shasmita Behera, convenor of State Mahila Mancha, around 3,000 women are now moving different courts to get bails from false cases field against them by the various industrial houses.
The economic and social conditions of the people have been greatly affected due to acquisition of about 36,000 acres of private, Government and forest lands during the last 10 years in these two districts, she said while addressing a public meeting here.
She further lamented that the industrial and mining activities have also created health and traffic problems.
Elaborating on the plight of the people in the process of unplanned and uncontrolled industrial and mining activities, social activist Swapna Sarangi expressed her concern over degradation of land, water and forest in the districts.
Among others, Draupadi Sahu, Santilata Pradhan, Rita Das, Adikanda Sahu, Mahendra Majhi and Chaitan Sahu addressed the meeting.
The people, who attended the meeting, unanimously demanded that the new land Acquisition Act be implemented at the time of land acquisition for the proposed industries. They also demanded that the false cases be withdrawn forthwith and permanent jobs be given to the affected people.