Plans for new Jajpur plant result in protests

Ramco Cement Ltd’s plans to establish a new cement plant in Jajpur district, Odisha, India, have resulted in 1500 local villagers organising a protest. The villagers demanded that the project be stopped, according to The Pioneer.

"Most of the residents of Haridaspur, Sundaria, Neulaur, Thanual, Arua, Gangdharpur, Palara, Dankari and other villages are poor farmers. They have been eking out their livelihoods by cultivating paddy and other crops. Their paddy fields will be destroyed by the ash and other effluents of the cement plant," said Sarbeswar Behura, a protestor.

Ranjan Kumar Das, the region's district collector, stated that a discussion between the villagers and the cement plant will begin soon.

"The plant authorities have got environment clearance from the Government. Many persons will be engaged in the plant. The owner of the plant has acquired 100 acres of Government land to build the plant. We will discuss with the agitators and the officials of the cement plant to sort out the matter soon," he said.