Tension prevailed at Kalunga Industrial area on Tuesday afternoon on the outskirts of Rourkela city as hundreds of locals protested against the construction of a boundary wall of a private company.
The security persons allegedly opened fire at the agitating locals. On the other hand, the locals abducted two security men of the factory and kept them as hostages, demanding return of their land.
About two platoon police forces were deployed on the spot and senior police officials were engaged in negotiations with the locals to resolve the crisis.
Sources said about five years ago, IDCO, Rourkela unit, had allotted about 24 acres of land to one Mahavir Ferro Alloys limited, adjacent to its existing plant at Kalunga Industrial Estate, for its expansion project. The allotment of the land, however, had been opposed by the locals from the beginning. The locals claimed that the land originally belonged to them and should be returned to them.
According to sources, at about 12.30 pm on Tuesday last, a group of about 150 persons, including hundreds of women, reached the allotted site of Mahavir Ferro and opposed the boundary wall construction work, which was going on at the site. The security persons of the company reportedly attacked the locals and also opened fire at them.
The villagers retaliated with stone pelting and picked up two security men.
“Two platoons of police force have been deployed on the spot to maintain law and order,” said DSP, Rourkela Tusar Kanti Jena.
Since, the locals are firm on their stand about the land, all documents will be examined and appropriate action will be taken, Jena added.
Meanwhile, the locals lodged a complaint at the Brahamani Tarang police station, alleging that security guards opened fire at them and injured at least four persons. Further investigation is going on into the case the officials said.