The land losers of Balasore Alloys under the banner of Jana Jiban Suraksha Manch held an agitation in front of the plant at Balgopalpur on Saturday demanding justice.
The agitators, alleging that their lands were purchased by the company by fraudulent means, demanded either adequate compensation or complete return of the lands.
These villagers, belonging to Balgopalpur, Sereipur, Bidyadharpur, Begumpur and Mukhura, alleged that the company grabbed their valuable cultivable lands at throwaway prices and gave minuscule compensation.
Notably, a majority of the land losers are Bangladeshi immigrants, who have been rehabilitated in the areas under the State and Central Governments’ schemes. They are also Dalits as per records. Their stir was supported by several leaders, including a former MlA and several CPM activists.
“Now the villagers have got to know that they have been taken for a ride. The company has violated all existing norms while acquiring the lands. Against the injustice, they demand reasonable prices and jobs in lieu of their lands or a full return of their lands. Although meetings were held in the past as many as for six times with the management of the company, yet the issue is unresolved,” said Manch advisor Manoj Nayak.