Jajpur: Tension prevailed in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Thursday over efforts to restore Biraja Haat in the Parikrama project area of Maa Biraja.
People and organisations opposing the restoration of Biraja Haat in its previous location blocked the Jajpur-Singhpur road in protest stalling movement of all vehicular traffic.
The Biraja Haat was shifted to Santmadhab for the Birja Parikrama project. However, after the elections, some people said to be eager to restore the haat in its previous location. As a result, a face-off between the two groups erupted in the district today.
As per previous schedule, some traders had come this morning and set up their stalls at the old place but the anti-haat people protested against this. Despite the administration’s instructions, the agitators blocked the roads since morning. Due to this, vehicular movement has been hampered. One group is adamant in demanding that the haat be shifted to a new place, while another group wants the haat to be at the old place.
Jajpur Tehsildar and other senior officials have reached the protest site and a large police force has been deployed to maintain law and order. According to sources, the possibility of imposing Section 163 in the area to avoid an unpleasant situation cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, Jajpur Sub-Collector Anshuman Satapathy told the media that the Biraja Haat area has been cordoned off to stop people from visiting the market. “We are now trying to disperse the agitators and have assured them of an amicable settlement of the issue soon,” he added.
