Villagers of Jayamangal on the Khordha outskirts held a meeting at the Samabaya Godown in protest against increasing pollution being created by industries operating in the Sarua Industrial Estate area. Former Minister Suresh Kumar Routray and over hundred of villagers were present. “Due to industries, soil, water and air of Jayamangal village have been polluted and villagers are being infected with various kinds of diseases. Villagers are being threatened with bombing and blank firing whenever they attempt to opposed the industries,” they alleged.
They have demanded that land acquisition be stopped by the Idco forthwith. “While there are over 10 industries already operating in Sarua area, the Idco is still acquiring lands to establish more units. The administration should stop this,” they demanded.
They also stated that due to deep bore wells dug by industries, the groundwater has gone down and villagers are facing a lot of problems. Many industries have blocked roads to village graveyard and cultivable lands by constructing roads. Many people have lost land they had got from the Cashew Corporation.
They decided to take to the streets if the administration and the Government don’t resolve the problems at the earliest.