Ongoing tension surrounding ash transportation from the NTPC Power Plant at Darlipali under Lefripada block in Sundaragada district reached a violent climax today, leaving one person dead following a shooting incident.
The deceased has been identified as Sunil Neti (Pilu), a resident of Darlipali village.
According to available reports, the dispute originated over extortion demands linked to fly ash transportation. A truck owners’ association was allegedly collecting Rs 200 per truck operating from the NTPC plant, which triggered widespread dissatisfaction among local operators and transporters.
The situation grew volatile about a month ago following the formation of a new union named “Raija” in Darlipali village. The creation of the new group sparked an intense turf war between the established union and the newly formed faction over control of the ash transport operations.
Today, the rivalry boiled over when an office-bearer of the old union—reportedly hailing from Tileimal village in neighboring Jharsuguda district—opened fire on a member of the rival group. Pilu sustained a severe gunshot wound to the chest. Although he was immediately rushed to the Sundaragada Medical College and Hospital for emergency treatment, doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Local residents revealed that this fatal attack follows a series of warning signs that were largely left unaddressed. Just weeks prior, the same suspect had allegedly arrived in Darlipali with a gang of 25 to 30 youths on motorcycles, firing shots into the air to intimidate locals and establish dominance. Community members pointed out that inaction and inadequate preventative measures by the police after the earlier blank-firing incident emboldened the miscreants, ultimately resulting in today’s tragedy.
With public outrage mounting, locals have warned that unless law enforcement takes swift and decisive action against the perpetrators and restores order, the conflict could escalate into further violent clashes in the region. Police have commenced an investigation into the incident.
