Road blockade continues for third day today

Bhubaneswar, May 3 (UNI) The road blockade by the anti-land acquisition activists near Kalinganagar in Jajpur district entered its third day today.

The Visthapan Virodhi Jana Mancha (VVJM) blocked the road after one of their colleagues was allegedly shot dead by the security guard of a contractor on Thursday.

Kalinganagar Police Station Inspector in-Charge K C Mundu said despite repeated appeals the activists were not coming to the negotiation table and were continuing with their agitation.

As many as eight platoons of police force had been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.

Police said Amin Banara, a member of the VVJM, was killed near his Baligotha village following an altercation between the contractor and the activist.

As per the reports the problem arose allegedly after the contractor asked the the activists not to oppose the land acquisition drive.

In January 2006, at least 14 people were killed in police firing while protesting the acquisition of farmland for setting up industries.

Then the people had blocked the NH 200 for 15 months and lifted it only last year.

UNI BD SJC DB1955