Even as the Keonjhar district administration has shown greater urgency to expedite the Kanpur irrigation project, it has not properly addressed the plight of the displaced, who mostly comprise tribals and Dalits of poor background.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to investigate the sensitive case of large scale displacement in the project on the river Baitarani.
The NHRC passed the order following additional submissions filed by rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Rahakanta Tripathy, after the Odisha Chief Secretary failed to submit a comprehensive report after investigation of the matter by a senior revenue official.
Earlier acting on the petition of Tripathy and a reply filed by the State administration, the NHRC sought a detailed report from the Chief Secretary.
Earlir, the report submitted by the State authority was just an eye wash, contended petitioner Tripathy. He stated that the report was silent on the RPDAC meeting interval, the number of people yet to be settled, lack of basic infrastructure and deprivation of bare necessities of life for the displaced people. He alleged that the poverty stricken tribal and Dalit villagers will be homeless and forced to die without food, shelter livelihood etc., if the Government does not compensate and rehabilitated them suitably.
No comprehensive report has been prepared with regard to the current land acquisition law, whereas rehabilitation and resettlement of the villagers as per the policy was not made, Tripathy further alleged.
The apex human rights watchdog finally deputed its Special Rapporteur Damodar Sarangi to visit the affected area to assess the situation by associating the villagers and the administration and to recommend measures to be taken for protection of human rights of the affected people, within eight weeks.
“Thousands of victims have been living in the lurch due to inaction and negligence of the Government,” stated Core Committee, Kanupur Displaced Forum president Naresh Chandra Sitary.
“We will continue our struggle for justice till we get our dues,” said peeved Binod Bihari Naik, a ST landoustee.