Rourkela: One person was killed and six others, including police personnel and government officials, were injured as violence erupted during a protest against a rail line project at Odisha’s Rourkela city on Saturday.
The incident has heightened tensions in the Bandhamunda-Bisra block, where tribal residents have been opposing the project for the last several months, demanding fair compensation for their land. The railway line project seeks to connect Dumerta with the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP).
The unrest escalated when villagers gathered at the construction site in Barkani and reportedly attempted to halt work that had resumed in the morning despite their continued protests.
Sources said a protestor, identified as Eto Ekka (37) of Barkani, was killed after an earthmover engaged in the project work allegedly hit him.
A large number of locals gathered at the spot and blamed the administration for the death of Ekka.
The agitation turned violent as the protestors hurled stones at the police personnel and government officials deployed at the spot. A few of them also reportedly attacked the security personnel with bow and arrows.
Additional Tehsildar of Rourkela Purusottam Nayak, police ASI Rajendra Sahu and four others, including the operator of the earthmover, were injured in the incident.
The injured persons have been admitted to the Rourkela Government Hospital (RHG) for treatment.
Senior officials, including Western DIG Brijesh Kumar Ray and Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani, rushed to the site to control the situation.
Officials are trying to hold discussions with the protesting villagers to bring the situation under control and prevent any further flare up. Police personnel in strength have also been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
