TNI Bureau: Tension prevailed in Pattangi block of Koraput district as villagers from several habitations under Nuagaon panchayat opposed a proposed gram sabha convened to discuss a construction project linked to Nalco’s mining operations.

Residents of Balapadu, Nuagaon, Kalipadu, Galika, Badar, Kartal, Mamali and nearby villages united in protest and refused to cooperate with the block administration, leading to the cancellation of the gram sabha without any resolution. The meeting was convened to seek approval for a proposed construction to draw water from a nearby river flowing alongside agricultural land close to Nuagaon village for Nalco’s mining activities.

The proposal drew strong opposition from villagers, supported by sarpanches of different panchayats and the Zone No. 1 Zilla Parishad member, who termed the project detrimental to local interests. Protesters raised concerns over the impact on agricultural land and water resources.

Senior district and block officials, including Sub-Collector Premlal Hial, BDO Ramakrishna Nayak and Tahsildar Debendra Bahadur Singh Dharua, reached the spot and attempted to persuade villagers through discussions. However, their efforts failed to break the deadlock.

To prevent any untoward incident, elaborate security arrangements were made under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Sambit Mohanty and Sunabeda SDPO Sumitra Jena. Despite police deployment, protesters blocked the Badapahad Ghat road connecting the block headquarters to the panchayat, staged a sit-in demonstration and raised slogans of “Go Back Nalco” and “Go Back Administration.”

Even after repeated attempts by the administration to hold the gram sabha, the villagers remained firm in their opposition and continued their protest at the ghat. Faced with sustained resistance, the administration was eventually forced to withdraw from the area.