Blockade against power plant

ANGUL: They made their intention loud and clear raising slogans against JR Power Plant. Hundreds of locals on Monday blocked NH 55 for six hours demanding scraping of the MoU.The slogan, “We want Sureswari irrigation project not JR Power Plant” rented the air even as vehicular traffic came to a standstill from 6 am till noon following the blockade by people of Kishorenagar area.The locals have been raising the issue for the past few months. The State Government had entered into an agreement for setting up 2,000 MW power project here in 2007. They had earlier staged agitations at Kishorenagar and Angul. The protestors accused the Government of reneging on its commitment when the Chief Minister had himself announced, during an election rally, allocation of funds for the proposed Sureswari irrigation project here. The stir was led by Ramani Ranjan Padhan under the banner of Jivan Jibika Surakhya Samiti.The blockade was lifted following an assurance from ADM Debraj Senapati and the additional SP J. Mahapatra to apprise the State Government of their demand.“Instead of blocking traffic here, they should go to Bhubaneswar with their demand. We can do little on this issue,” said Senapati.