Tension gripped Daruthenga village on the outskirts of the capital city for the second day on Friday as locals pelted stones at police personnel in protest against the dumping of garbage by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) near the proposed waste-to-energy project site.
In retaliation, the cops fired teargas shells and also resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob.
Earlier in the day, garbage was dumped at the spot in the presence of BMC Commissioner Kishan Kumar, DCP Bhoi and BDA officials. This was opposed by the locals, who staged road blockade by burning tyres.
The DCP said, “Around 300-400 agitators pelted stones in which some policemen were injured. Teargas and rubber bullets were fired in retaliation. The situation is now under control. A discussion was held with the villagers, and dumping of garbage will continue for the time being.”
Notably, the Daruthenga villagers and policemen also had a faceoff on Thursday as the former opposed dumping of garbage at the site by BMC trucks.
However, 106 truckloads of garbage were dumped at the site in the presence of police.
It may be recalled that the State Government at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on July 19 had decided to relocate the garbage dumping yard at Bhuasuni in Daruthenga panchayat to Tulsadeipur.
Officials had then said that the dumping yard would be relocated within a month while the proposed waste-to-energy (waste treatment) plant would be set
up at Bhuasuni in conformity with the High Court’s directive.