The Odisha State Human Rights Commission (OSHRC) has ordered an inquiry into the alleged death of some villagers of Dhuligada of Danagadi block in Jajpur district in industrial and coal pollution-related diseases during the last two years.
Acting on a petition filled by Akhand of the Civil Society Forum on Human Rights (CSFHR), the OSHRC has issued notices to the Jajpur Collector and Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to probe the matter and report to the commission within four weeks.
The petitioner stated pollution from Sukinda railway plot, Manpur coal plot and adjoining industries is the major cause of death. More than 50 people have diedin two years and hundreds of them are suffering from various diseases and are battling for their lives.
The pollution is causing diseases like tuberculosis and jaundice as well as other unknown diseases affecting people’s lives and leading to premature death.
Rapid industrialisation in the area has proved to be a death trap for residents of Suanl, Patra Sahi, Dehuri Sahi, Majhi Sahi, Brahman Sahi, Mangobindpur Jakhpur, Kudumisahi, Barapala, Dasamania and Tangarsahi villages.
However, the OSPCB has not taken any steps in this regard as yet. No medical team has reached the villages to take stock of the situation, CSFHR alleged.