Displaced Villagers Clash With Police Over Mining At Jamkhani Coal Block In Odisha’s Sundargarh

Bhubaneswar: Tension erupted at Jamkhani open-cast coal mines under Hemgir block in Odisha’s Sundargarh district amid vehement protests by hundreds of local residents, who clashed with police, opposing the mining activity.

They are demanding compensation as per the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013.

According to sources, two displaced women and some villagers breached the security as mining started at Jamkhani mines following Bhoomi Pujan in the 10-acre area of the mining block, demanding adequate compensation, proper rehabilitation and employment for family members aged above 18 years. The 17 platoon force deployed at the spot had to resort to baton charges to disperse the crowd, leading to the scuffle. In the melee, two villagers reportedly suffered injuries.

Notably, villagers of Jamkhani, Giriseema, Jharpalam and Mendra have been demanding settlement as per provisions of the new rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the government. The administration, however, has already made it clear to the landowners that this was not possible since they have already been compensated under the earlier policy.

The displaced people were compensated for their land after acquisition by Bhusan Steel and Power Ltd (BSPL) in 2006.  Jamkhani, which has 114 million tons of mineral reserves, was then awarded to Vedanta Group in November 2019, nearly six years after the Supreme Court cancelled its allocation.

Amid a delay in starting mining, the company also offered to pay Rs 6 lakh per acre but the villagers have stuck to their demand, sources said.

The local communities have alleged that not only have they lost agricultural income following the acquisition of their lands, but they have also failed to find an alternate source of employment because mining activities have failed to take off for over 12 years. As much as 847 hectares of land were taken over from the four villages for this project.

They further argued that the land should have legally been returned to its original owners since it was not put to use within five years and again acquired afresh under LARR Act, 2013, which would have ensured better compensation.

Meanwhile, Rajgangpur MLA C S Raazen Ekka reached the spot and took stock of the situation by interacting with the protestors. The administration is also reportedly trying to pacify them with the assurance of getting their demands would be addressed, the sources added.