Villagers held a demonstration in demand of employment at the front gate of the Indrani Patnaik Mines situated at Unchbali under the Joda Mining Circle of Keonjhar district on Tuesday.
Residents of Unchbali and five surrounding villages have been making their demands since last 15 days, but when their demands were unheard they held the demonstration in front of the company’s gate. They threatened that if the company management does not take steps to address their grievance by Wednesday, they would be forced to close the operation of the mines.
The specific allegation of the villagers was that the mines owner is looking only after the interests of a few people who are said to be close to Champua MlA Sanatan Mahakud whereas the villagers in general are neglected, for which unemployment and poverty is on the rise in the mining area.
When contacted, Bamebari PS IIC James Toppo said the demonstration was held peacefully. However, the management has taken some time to resolve the issue, he added.