Kalinga Nagar tribals agree to lift 14 months road blockade

Bhubaneswar, Mar 9 (UNI) The tribals of Kalinga Nagar, the steel hub of Orissa, today announced to lift a 14-month road blockade on the Paradeep-Daitari Express Highway from midnight last night putting at rest all speculation of use of force to carry out the High Court order to this effect.

Janamanch secretary Rabindra Jarika told reporters at Kalinga Nagar midnight last night that they have decided to withdraw the road blockade after a meeting with the tribal leaders in view of the order of the Orissa High court which had set a deadline for the government to clear the highway for traffic by March 9.

Bisthapan Birodhi Janamanch, the tribal outfit spearheading the agitation, against land acquisition for industry purposes in Kalinga Nagar, had blocked the highway ever since 13 tribals were killed in Police firing on January 2 last year.

The authorities had mobilised nearly 35 platoons of armed forces and promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144CrPc as a precautionary measure in the area to ensure that the High Court order was implemented before the deadline.

Mr Jarika, however, clarified that their agitation against the land acquisition would continue and they would not allow a single inch of land to be acquired for the Tata Steel project and other industries coming up in their area.

Jajpur District Collector Arabindha Padhi and Superintendent of Police Asit Kumar Panigrahi made last ditch efforts yesterday to resolve the impasse and persuade the tribals to lift the road blockade but in vain.

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