The construction of a railway line connecting Dumerata Railway Station to Rourkela Steel Plant turned violent today, leading to the tragic death of a villager and injuring several police personnel.
The incident has heightened tensions in the Bandhamunda-Bishra block, where tribal residents have been opposing the project for months, demanding fair compensation for their land.
The unrest escalated when villagers gathered at the construction site in Barkani, attempting to halt work that resumed this morning despite their continued protests. According to reports, Eto Ekka (35), a local tribal villager, was killed after a JCB inadvertently struck him. This triggered outrage among the assembled villagers, who resorted to stone-pelting at the construction site, injuring officials, including an assistant tehsildar, police constables, and the JCB driver.
Authorities, including Western DIG Brijesh Kumar Ray and Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani, rushed to the location to control the situation. However, as news of Ekka’s death spread, more tribal villagers arrived, further intensifying the standoff. The police have since deployed reinforcements to prevent further violence.
The villagers argue that the railway authorities and Rourkela Steel Plant have failed to honour a 2006 written agreement that promised land return and employment opportunities to displaced families. Until their demands are met, they have vowed not to release Ekka’s body for cremation.
Local administration officials are working to mediate discussions with the protesting villagers to bring the situation under control. The incident underscores the growing friction between development projects and indigenous land rights, raising critical concerns about fair rehabilitation and compensation practices in infrastructure expansion.
