Jharsuguda, Oct 31: Protest against Odisha Power Generation (OPGC) in Jharsuguda continued and 8 persons were arrested in connection with violence at Banharpali.
The protesters torched OPGC inspecting team’s vehicle on Friday and held captive three officials. Police arrested 8 people of Lakhanpur village under Tilia panchayat on Saturday on charges of setting the officials’ team’s vehicle on fire. The officials were later freed.
The violence occurred after a three-member Central team including Ministry of Environment and Forests Director VP Upadhyay visited the village for a field inspection for proposed two power units of OPGC. The villagers, who were protesting the land acquisition process for expansion of OPGC at Banharpali, blocked the road. The locals did not allow the team to proceed and dragged officials out of the vehicle.
