The conditions of nine residents, including four women, of village Hensmul in the Talcher area of Angul district sitting on fast-unto-death in front of the MCl CGM office became serious and they were hospitalised at Talcher.
The villagers, who are displaced by the Mahanadi Coalfields ltd (MCl), have launched their hunger-strike since five days demanding proper resettlement by the public-sector company.
The conditions of ZP member Ritarani Das and sarpanch Sumitra Sahu were stated to be serious.Meanwhile, more people have joined in the agitation.
The MCl has given employment to the land oustees of Hensmul against acquisition of their lands for operating the Ananta, Bhubaneswari and lingaraj mines with a condition that they would hand over their lands to the company in lieu of the jobs. However, the villagers alleged that these employees are not yet resettled as they have not got suitable lands for the purpose.
In the mean time, the MCl has served show-cause notices to land-affected employees for disciplinary action for not leaving the lands in favour of the MCl. At the same time, the villagers have filed a writ petition in the Odisha High Court seeking their resettlement at Balandapasi.
The Angul Collector, in a letter to the MCl, has stated that a decision on the issue will be taken only after final disposal of the aforesaid case by the High Court or a further decision at a RPDAC meeting.