Oris-saga

Patkar’s visit on 11 Dec

Statesman News Service, 10 December

BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 9: The anti-Posco groups who have been cornered by recent developments at the proposed site area are pinning their hopes of eminent social and human rights activists as they expect leaders like Medha Patkar to visit the area.

Reliable sources said the visit of B D Sharma and other activists from Nandigram had given a boost to the local anti-project activists. Now Ms Medha Patkar is expected to come on 11 December and tour the villages before joining those on hunger strike in front of the district collectorate at Jagatsinghpur.

It is pertinent to note that both Mr Sharma and Ms Patkar had earlier expressed solidarity with the peoples movement against displacement . They had squatted on dharna* at Bhubaneswar and had also led a protest rally against the Posco project to chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence.

The Nava Nirman Samiti, Sarvodaya leaders and the Rashtriya Yuva Manch which are active in Jagatsinghpur district have had strong links with Mr Sharma and Patkar led peoples organisations.

The activists are now mobilising support from outside. They are reportedly in touch with some Delhi based activist to try and organise protests at the national level and draw attention to the alleged violation of human rights in Dhinkia since 29 November.

Within the state the activists of various movements including the one against Tata Steel plant project at Kalinga Nagar, the anti alumina project movement at Kasipur and the one against Vedanta project are all planning to join hands to express solidarity. The congregation of such activist leaders is likely to take place at Kalinga Nagar soon, said these sources.

Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition Mr JB Patnaik today warned the government against use of force. If everything is hunky dory in the proposed site area and people are supporting the Posco project why has the government deployed over 13 platoon police force. Is it not intimidation and a method to stifle the voice of people, he asked.

Addressing a press conference here today Mr Patnaik said the locals refuse to be displaced as the area is agriculturally prosperous. He however emphasised on the water problem and said farmers of undivided Cuttack district and the coastal areas will take to agitation just as their Sambalpur counterparts had done recently.


As such water from Jobra barrage does not meet the agricultural needs of farmers and if water is to be given to Posco plant from this barrage it will cause severe shortage to the agriculture sector, he said. It is not a question of Dhinkia, Nuagaon or Gadakujang areas which come under the proposed plant site, it relates to farming in coastal districts of the state.

Similarly diversion of forest land also affects the entire coastal belt as this was a unique coastal forest meant for mangrove plantation and protection against cyclonic storms. One cannot compensate such an area by inland plantation he remarked.

Mr Patnaik reiterated the state Congress stand that iron ore requirement of steel plants in the state should be met by the Orissa Mining Corporation. They should buy their ore from OMC at a certain rate, he said while rejecting the move to provide captive mining lease to steel plant projects.


Patkar to visit Posco hit areas

Statesman News Service, 11 December

JAGATSINGHPUR Dec. 10: The proposed visit of Medha Patkar to Posco affected villages today has triggered hectic activity on both pro and anti Posco fronts here with a section of the villagers of Nuagaon, Gadakujang and Govindapur threatening to prevent the entry of Patkar and ‘outsiders’ and the rival groups preparing to play host to Patkar.

Ms Patkar, Kumar Prashant founder member of the Rastriya Yuva Sangathan and other social activists are to reach Jagatsinghpur tomorrow. They will attend a satyagraha being staged by activists of Nava Nirman Samiti and Rastriya Yuva Sangathan in front of the collectorate.

Subsequently, they are scheduled to visit Nuagaon and a few other places to access the situation.

It may be noted here that activists of the NNS and RYS are on a hunger strike since one week alleging that democratic rights of protest had been trampled.

They alleged that attempts to stage a protest at Balitutha had been foiled by goons in the presence of the police. Shockingly Gandhian leaders were abused and a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi was kicked, they decried.

To provide moral support and strength to such activists B D Sharma had visited the place recently and his visit is to be followed by Kumar Prashant and Medha Patkar.

Ms Patkar is to attend a public meeting at Jagatsinghpur which has been organized by Zilla Gansangram Parishad . Then she will go to Nuagaon village with Satyagrahis and will interact with the villagers before staying at the village overnight. She is expected to move around the troubled Dhinkia and Govindpur villages also.

But the disturbing development today was that some people of Nuagaon, Gadakujang, Noliashai, Govindpur held meetings to discuss ways of obstructing or protesting the entry of ‘outsiders’.

Niravaya Samantray , leader of the Posco Jana Samaprak Bikash Parishad informed that villagers have decided to protest the entry of Patkar. Another pro-Posco activist Tamil Pradhan alleged that ‘outsiders’ were fuelling trouble in the area. The assistant superintendent of police, Paradip Mr Rabinarayan Patra has expressed that police has not yet received any information about the visit of Ms Patkar and no special arrangement has been made.

Stir by anti Posco group

JAGATSINGHPUR Dec. 10: Activists of Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) staged a mass demonstration in front of the collectorate here demanding cancellation of MoU between the state government and Posco and the immediate arrest of those involved in the 29 November violence at Balitutha bridge.

The SUCI leaders expressed grave concern over the plight of villagers of Dhinkia and the alleged reign of terror that has been spread by hired goons as well as the police.

People of Dhinkia are not coming out of the village fearing state repression as well as attack by hired goons, they charged.

The SUCI has sent relief materials to Dhinkia. Mr Pradipta Ram said a truck load of relief from SUCI and other orgaisations had been sent to Dhinkia.

SUCI leaders Mr Udhab Jena, Subash Swain, CPI leader Mr Sasibhusan Swain and others were present at the dharna spot today.

They submitted a memorandum to district collector.

Tribals stage rally

KEONJHAR, Dec. 10: Tribals today took out a rally before culminating at the collector’s office where they staged a demonstration. There they handed over a letter meant for the chief minister to the collector. The demands are implementation of Forest Rights Act-2006, transformation of the jungle villages into revenue villages, no compensatory plantation on lands owned by them, to stop any activity which adversely affects global warming.

Combing operation

ANGUL, Dec. 10: Amid the fresh reports of Maoist appearance at Tikarpara in Satkosia jungle police today launched combing operations in the area to trace out any Maoist presence. The operation came after villagers of Karadapara and Ramimunda reported to police about four persons in uniform snatching a goat from the area on 4 December. One of the goat rearers complained to the police that one of his goats was snatched away by the uniformed men.

Earlier in adjacent areas of Tikarpara area of Satkosia forest region rural people on several occasions spotted some unidentified persons roaming in the jungles. Police started a combing operation in the area after receiving reports but found nothing.

Health camps in Maoist infested Kankadahada

DHENKANAL, Dec. 10: In tribal and Maoist affected Kankadahada block district administration organised a mega health awareness and mega camp at Rameswar high school premises on Sunday. The camp was organised in collaboration with the health department and support of several wings of administration with all facilities for tribals.

At least 2,527 patients were examined and provided free medicines with test facilities like Ultra sound, ECG, HIV, AIDS, leprosy and malaria on priority including other diseases. Specialists doctors of several disciplines examined patients. The camp also carried out blood grouping test of school students.


Government has launched many development works in tribal dominated Kankadahada block. Chitagyan Charitable trust also participated in conducting the camp. SP Sanjay Kumar Kausal, CDMO Dr Surendra Kumar Mohanty and administrative officials were involved in smooth functioning of the camp. Elaborate security arrangement was made in and around the camp site.

Appeal to help administration

PHULBANI, Dec. 10: The district collector, Mr Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, has appealed to the senior elite citizens to extend their moral support and cooperation to the administrative machinery with a view to make it a dependable and a public welfare oriented organisation.

He was speaking at the fourth annual function of the Kandhamal district citizens’ forum here yesterday.

Due to illiteracy, lack of awareness and growing poverty, the district is lagging behind as far as progress is concerned. Time has come to do something about it.


The poor and the backward people of the district should be helped, Mr Mohapatra said.

The district SP, Mr Narasingha Bhol, warned about Naxalite activities in the district.

He categorically stated that the Naxalites are strengthening their base in Kothgarh, Daringbadi and Raikia blocks, especially in the tribal pockets.
All of us should come forward with a clear-cut strategy and try to combat the increasing Naxalite activity, Mr Mohapatra said.

Among the others, the president of southern Orissa development council, Mr Dayanidhi sahu, and advocate Mr Gouri shyam Panda also participated in the function.

On this occasion, two seminars were also organised.

Three eminent social workers, the Sarvoday activist, Mr Biswanath Patnaik, Mr Panchanan Sahu and Mr Sarat kumar Sahani were felicitated.

Anganwadis in poor condition

DHENKANAL, Dec. 10: Mismanagement and lack of administrative concern and absence of houses have put children of anganwadi workers in unhygienic and poor sanitary condition in all blocks of the district.

There is no concern, care or review on running of the centers . No administrative reaction on collection of feedback seems increasing apathy for the tender child.


According to administration sources as many as 60,056 children go to 1,121 centers opened in eight blocks including tribal dominated Kankadahada block. Administration claims they are provided medical care, nutritious food, taking care of their periodical weight, playful learning activities in which government provides facilities to children aged three to six year in the centers. Both BPL and APL family children are allowed to the centers.

In Hindol and Kankadahada tribal dominated blocks more number of BPL family children go to the anganwadi centres. In Hindol children of 13,477 BPL out of total 18,808 and 22,735 BPL families out of 34,258 families are in dire need of anganwadi support.

Official sources said 819 anganwadi centers of 1,121 have no building to house the children and foodstuff to take due care of the childrcen. At least 131 in Sadar block, 147 in Gondia , 126 in Odapada, 117 I Hindol , 75 in Parjang, 72 in Kankadahada, 75 in Bhuban and more than 76 in Kamakshanagar blocks run in residential verandah, school verandah and Kothaghar. Villagers allege that many anganwadi centers run on Kothaghar and residential verandah near cowsheds which are very unhygienic. Food served to the children are prone to infection. No space to store foodstocks and basic care meant for them not possible. According to administrative sources department of child and women had sanctioned Rs 93,000 plus last year for construction of anganwadi center building each for about 453 places.

Gram panchayat were asked to add Rs 30,000 each with the said amount. GP offices were allotted through DRDA for construction but most of them have not submitted Utilisation certificates to DRDA. Reports said administration is yet to review the status of construction though funds allotted directly to GPs. Dhenkanal among all districts was allotted highest amount of funds last year. But the fate of the centres and children remain unchanged as before sanction of funds.

The government-run centres function with one anganwadi worker and another helper in each center. Anganwadi workers said the centers are difficult to run with absence of own buildings. Schools and villagers often object for their inconvenience in which care for the small children becomes difficult. The ugly ground reality affects nutritious standard as basic care could not be taken despite availability of funds and facilities.

When asked about utilization certificates DRDA Project director Khagendranath Jena said administration had directed GPs and BDOs about utilization certificates and status review. BDOs should enforce but utilization certificates to the tune of Rs 1 crore is yet to be submitted, district unit of social welfare said so.

Hunger strike

JAGATSINGHPUR, Dec. 10: Balram Sethy of Arana village and his family are on a hunger strike in front of the collectorate to demand justice. Sethy, a helper at the Manijanga community hospital alleged caste discrimination and is of the view that his service records were destroyed to deny him promotion.

Sethy charged that before being posted at Manijanga, he was working at the Raghunathpur community health centre. It was during then that his service records were destroyed.

Sethy said that since his attempts to draw the attention of the district collector has failed, he has been compelled to start hunger strike.