VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Jan.23: L&T’s construction work to set up a conveyor belt in Keredari came to a standstill after protests by raiyats (landholders) over the last five days.
Notably, they have demanded Rs 24lakh per acre of land as well as jobs in this project.
Today, NTPC’s assistant general manager SP Gupta, circle officer Rakesh Kumar Tiwary and officer-in-charge of Keredari police station, Sadhan Chandra Gorai spoke to them but failed in convincing them.
However, all agreed to organise the next meeting in presence of Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad.
Protestors said they will not call off their agitation till their demands are met.
“We want jobs for the unemployed and proper compensation for lands acquired for this project,” a woman protester added.
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“We have lost our land and so want proper rights. If the company will give us our rights, we will not create problems in this project,” they added.
Moreover, Gupta assured everyone of sorting out each and every problem but villagers said they want the next meeting to be organised in the presence of their MLA Amba Prasad.
In a communique issued by the company, it said that they have provided jobs to 250 people of Muslim tola of Pandu village.
“We have given jobs directly or indirectly to villagers. Despite this, villagers instigated this protest,” an official said.
