Kalinganagar: The Jajpur district administration has made elaborate security arrangements at Champakoili in Kalinganagar industrial area with tribal body Bisthapana Birodhi Janmanch observing the 13th anniversary of Kalinganagar firing as Saheed Smruti Divas on Wednesday.
According to sources, the Janmanch activists after performing the rituals at Champakoili, where the firing had taken place, will take out a rally to the Bir Bhumi ground at Ambagadia, where the tribals will congregate in large numbers to commemorate the event.
To ward off any untoward incident, seven platoons of armed police force have been deployed at Ambagadia in presence of a local magistrate, two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and 20 Inspectors.
It was on this day in 2006 when the tribals, protesting against the setting up of a steel plant of Tata Steel and construction of the boundary wall of the plant, had a clash with the policemen. As the situation went out of control, police opened fire in which 13 tribals were killed while one policeman died in counter-attack.
“We will continue our agitation against the callous attitude of the state government, the district administration and the companies against the tribals of Kalinganagar. The agitation will be continued till the state government take necessary measures to uplift the socio-economic condition of the tribals of Kalinganagar,” secretary of the Janmanch, Rabindra Jarika told mediapersons here.
To support the cause of the Janmanch, some social organisations from Sukinda and Duburi area in the district have arrived at Kalingangar.
Sources said that the Janmanch activists have taken strong exception to incident when severed palms of the tribals, killed in the police firing, were found strewn near the Saheed Stambh (martyrs’ pillar) at Ambagadia on November 18 last year.
“We are keeping a close watch on the situation,” said Additional SP, Kalinganagar, Rajkishore Dora.
