After being released from the jail on bail, fifteen persons comprising seven ladies were given a rousing welcome by hundreds of villagers of Matikhalo village of Sriramchandrapur Mouza under Chhatrapur Sub-Division on Saturday.
Soon after their release from the jail on bail, the villagers assembled and honored the jail returnees and garlanded them, said convener of MASM Abani K Gaya.Notably, these villagers led by Gaya had demonstrated in front of SP of Ganjam Police District and office of the district Collector at Chatraur against the authorities of the IRE Limited reportedly against the alleged illegal and forceful acquisition of valuable lands of Dalits.
Later, the villagers had submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister against the IREL through the district Collector earlier this month. Gaya warned that the illegal grabbing of Dalit and SC/ST land by the IRE would cost dear to company in future. At the behest of IRE authorities, these innocent Dalit families were arrested while fighting for justice. The arrest of innocent villagers has inspired the local people to intensify their agitation against the IRE in future. The release of villagers is a blow to company and its dalals, Gaya added.