One killed, 12 hurt in clash in Kalinganagar

Jajpur: Agitation against land acquisition for industry raised its head once again in steel hub of the state in Kalinganagar where one person was killed and 12 others were injured following a clash between villagers and police on Wednesday.

Trouble erupted at Chandia when some villagers, facing displacement due to a steel project and currently lodged in rehabilitation centre, entered the village to take out their household goods under police protection.

As soon as the security men accompanying the project officials arrived at the village, a crowd attacked them with sticks and stones, Jajpur Superintendent of Police D S Kuttey said.

Police lathi-charged and fired rubber bullets to disperse the agitating mob.

An elderly person while trying to escape fell down and died after his head hit a roadside boulder, police said, adding about 12 others sustained injuries during the clash.

The village, considered to be a stronghold of Visthapan Virodhi Jana Manch VVJM) spearheading an agitation against acquisition of land for a steel plant, soon turned into a war zone, police said.

Additional force was deployed in the area.

The incident came four years after 14 people were killed in police firing while agitating against land acquisition in the area for industry.