Baleshwar: Tension prevailed in parts of Oupada area under Nilagiri subdivision of Odisha’s Baleshwar district on Tuesday when the administration launched a drive to demolish 13 illegal brick kilns operating in an eco-sensitive zone.
Officials said the demolition drive was launched in compliance with an order of the Orissa High Court. However, the action triggered protests by workers engaged at the brick kilns, with several demanding alternative employment from the administration before razing the units.
Sources said a team from the local administration along with police personnel first reached a brick kiln at Dasarathipur. Workers opposed the demolition and blocked the road to prevent the authorities from proceeding with the operation. Police removed the protesters from the site.
The ream also faced stiff opposition while demolishing a kiln near Panchalingeswar. The structure was partially demolished.
The 13 brick kilns identified for demolition are located in the eco-sensitive zone covering Shyamsundarpur, Kandagaradi and Iswarpur panchayats under Oupada block.
The operation was carried out under the direction of the Baleshwar district administration, with senior officials and a large police contingent deployed to maintain law and order.
Six platoons of police personnel were deployed during the operation to prevent any untoward incident.
According to Nilagiri Sub-Collector Subhashree Rath, all 13 illegal brick kilns would be demolished one by one as per the High Court’s order.
