Thousands of villagers, including women, of Roidapada and Guali panchayats in Joda block launched a dharna on Monday protesting against the anti-people activities of RP Sao Mines.

Chatturbhuja Naik and Padmavati Naik ,Sarapanchs of Roidapada and Guali panchayats respectively who have led the stir said after the RP Sao Mines began operation, it has completely neglected the locals.

It was natural for for the people of Roidapada and Guali to rejoice when RP Sao mines resumed operation after a gap of 6 years from 2012 to 2018 which had been closed for violations of the MMDR Act. At that time, they had hoped that a good day will come and people who have lost their bread would be reengaged in the mines. But to their great despair, all their hopes were belied on May 10 when they saw that the company started despatch of iron fines by engaging people outside the State with the use of police force.

Besides, they said the local transporting licence holders were ignored, improper mining done for which iron ore fines lie scattered creating environmental hazard besides making paddy land unfit for cultivation etc.

The villagers intimated the problems to the district Collector, Keonjhar for intervening in the matter. Joda block BJD president Kunjabihari Palei also decried the policy of the company and demanded immediate solutions of the problem.

Locals stage dharna at RP Sao Mines