UNI

BERHAMPUR: In a novel form of protest against the apathy of the authorities towards their grievances, tribals displaced by a proposed irrigation project in Kashinagar block of Gajpati district have put up a copy of their memorandum on a tree near the Gajapati district collectorate office.

An irate mob of tribals, under the banner of Baijhalanalla Bhumi Surakhya Manch, put up a copy of their memorandum on a tree near the Gajapati district collectorate office at Paralakhemundi on Saturday after the latter refused to accept it.

The tribals pinned the copy to the tree with an arrow.

Displaced by the proposed minor irrigation project at Baijaalnalla in Kashiunagar block of Gajpati district over a tributary of Bansadhara river, the tribals had undertaken a 12 km-long 'padyatra' to voice their resentment against the implementation of the irrigation project.

About 19 villages would be submerged and 4000 tribals, mostly the Sauras, would be affected if the irrigation project was implemented on the Bansadhara river at Buruda village. The tribals had oraganised the rally to draw the attention of the district authority to their plight.

The local tribal people had been opposing the project as they argued that the construction of reservoir would deprive them of their home as well as cultivable land. They were demanding alternate arrangements to eke out their living instead of compensation money in liue of their displacement.