Villager dies, 22 officials injured during protest against RSP rly line

Rourkela: One person died and 22 officials, including 16 police personnel, were injured on Saturday after irate people from Barkani village in Sundargarh district protested against a railway line project of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and tried to stop construction work.

According to reports, work was going on in the presence of a few RSP, railways and police officials. A protester, Eto Ekka (37), of Barkani was killed when an earthmover engaged in the work allegedly hit him during the protest. Angry, villagers kept Ekka's body at the project site till late in the evening.

They severely beat up the earthmover operator, injuring him severely. They hurled stones at police personnel and govt officials deployed at the spot. A few reportedly attacked with bows and arrows. Three RSP officials, including a general manager, were injured. "Using force, they erected a barricade and tried to chase us," said an agitator.

Senior police officials were camping at the site till reports last came in. "The situation is under control. The injured personnel have been admitted to the hospital. Forces have been deployed here to bring the situation under control," said DIG (western range) Brijesh Kumar Rai.

RSP is building an 8-km second railway line from Dumerta station yard to RSP for transportation of raw material and finished goods. Work started on Feb 5 this year and since then tribals of Barkani village have been opposing the project, demanding compensation for their land. "The railway track is being built on RSP land. There are no houses on the land," said Archana Satpathy, general manager (PR) and CoC, RSP.