Nabarangpur: Opposition to a proposed nuclear power project in Nabarangpur district intensified on Thursday, with more than 1,000 people from 10 panchayats in Nabarangpur and neighbouring Kalahandi district joining a protest against reports of a survey and site identification in Tentulikhunti block.
The protesters, who assembled at Hirmimunda under Anchalagumma panchayat, expressed concern over the potential impact of the project on land, water resources, forests, livelihoods and public health.
Residents of Tentulikhunti had earlier organised a padayatra and demonstration opposing the reported move. The participation of people from Kalahandi marked a wider mobilisation against the proposed project.
The protesters alleged that local residents had not been adequately informed about the project and raised questions over the purpose of the survey, the identification of the site and possible land acquisition.
The meeting was attended by Dabugaon MLA Manohar Randhari, Lanjigarh MLA Pradeep Dishari, former MPs Pradeep Majhi and Ramesh Majhi, former MLA Bhulabal Majhi, Sadashib Pradhani, Zilla Parishad member Dr Lipika Majhi, Manjula Majhi, P. Nagaratnam, Muna Tripathy, Akhil Bhatra, Prahlad Hial, Prafulla Kumar Nag and Left leader Rajesh Jani, among others. Leaders from the BJD, Congress and Left parties also participated.
Coordinated by Gajendra Sagaria, the meeting called for the protection of Adivasi land and rights and demanded full disclosure of information concerning the project.
The protesters warned that the agitation would be intensified if steps towards construction of the project were initiated in the coming days.
Randhari said he would raise the issue in the next session of the Odisha Assembly. Both MLAs indicated that they would pursue the matter in the House, with Dishari assuring support if the issue was raised.
