Locals in Odisha opposed to JSW’s mining expansion

Due to stiff opposition from locals, the Sundargarh district administration’s efforts to hold a public hearing for land acquisition for mining expansion of Shiva Cement Ltd (SCL), a unit of JSW Cement, in Kutra block proved futile. On Jagannath temple grounds, a public hearing on the draught social impact assessment for acquiring 248.88 acres of land in Khatkurbahal and Phalsakani villages of Khatkurbahal panchayat was scheduled. Approximately 2,000 villagers, led by Rajangpur MLA CS Rajen Ekka and former BJD minister Mangla Kishan, staged a protest, preventing the administrative team from entering the venue.

According to sources, four roads leading to the venue were blocked by trees due to the heavy deployment of police personnel. “Villagers have been fiercely opposing acquisition of their ancestral land, and they are also irritated that no gramsabha approval was taken for the purpose,” said Khatkurbahal sarpanch Jhadi Dhanwar. According to Sundargarh ADM Abhimanyu Behera, the purpose of the public hearing was to invite objections and suggestions for necessary additions, deletions, and changes in the final report before publication.