Thousands of local Adivasis on Wednesday demonstrated in front of the gate of the Tata Sponge factory at Bileipada in Joda block of Keonjhar district.
Before the demonstration, the Adivasis came in a huge procession from the local villages and gathered in front of the factory gate and shouted slogans for fulfillment of their demands.
The Adivasis alleged that 35 years back the factory was set up by acquiring the lands of local people. But at the time of appointments, they were ignored by giving preference to the candidates from outside the State and relatives of the influential people like political and trade union leaders and Government officials.
Even some candidates having fake certificates have been given employment by the company where as genuine aspirants have been neglected. They further alleged that the company has terminated the services of Adivasis on false grounds for which their family members are leading a miserable life after giving acres of lands to the company.
Even some displaced tribal people have been deprived of compensation for the agricultural land. The agitators demanded the rehabilitation of the displaced people as per the guidelines of 2008 Rehabilitation Act of the State Government and a through probe into the fake certificate issue.
Sources reveal that the tribals are demanding the fulfillment of their legitimate claims at different forums but the previous management of Tata Sponge was not paying heed to their demands. They hope that the incumbent managing director Sanjay Patnaik, a native of Odisha will definitely redress their genuine grievances.