Sundergarh: Tension erupted at the Vedanta Jamakhani coal mines project site when police attempted to evict the protesters in Hemagiri of Sundergarh district today.
The protesters who had been on a dharna for the last ten days demanding rehabilitation, faced off with police when the former dispersed them.
Residents of four villages including Girisima, Jharapalama, and Mendra and Jamakani have been on strike for the last 10 days, disrupting mining and transportation activities. The villagers affected by the coal mines have been demanding proper rehabilitation and assistance.
As tension continued, three platoons of police forces have been deployed.
The residents demanded job to at least one member from the displaced family in Vedanta company, financial assistance, compensation and survey for the construction of new homes, proper rehabilitation and resettlement to landless residents and land patta to the displaced families. They have been agitating since June 14 for which the mining activities were halted for the last 10 days.
The agitators demanded a halt of mining activities until proper rehabilitation and resettlement were ensured.
