Tribal villagers of Jagda and Jhartarang gram panchayats under the leadership of Biramitrapur MlA George Tirkey held road blockade at Vedavyas Chowk, TCI Chowk and Dandiapali on Tuesday demanding exclusion of their areas from the proposed Rourkela Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.
Notably, after the notification of the Urban & Housing Department for upgradation of the Rourkela Municipality to Municipal Corporation adding full Jagda GP, Jhrtaranga, Brahmani Taranga, Sana Brahmani Taranga and Gopapali of Jhartarang GP, certain areas of south Rourkela with the 33 wards of the existing Rourkela Municipality on November 14, 2014.
They also torched an effigy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Since then, tribal inhabitants of Jagda and Jhrtarang GPs have been opposing it. They argue that the unilateral decision of the Government violates Article-243 (M) and PESA.
Due to the road blockade, hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the Rourkela-Sundargarh State Highway and Rourkela-Biramitrapur National Highway. Police forces were deployed to maintain law and order. Tirkey said the agitation would continue till they get their demand is fulfilled.