KEONJHAR: Thousands of BJP workers took part in bike rallies from different parts of Keonjhar and reached the district headquarters and gheraoed the collector's office on Wednesday. The agitation revolved around a number of issues ranging from pollution in
Baitarani
river to mining scams and other issues.
BJP's Keonjhar president
Radhakanta Mohanta
said Baitarani is the lifeline of the district. He said the river is under a threat of extinction due to pollution and extraction of water by mining and other industries but the MLAs and ministers of the district are only raising concerns about Mahanadi.
The party raised a voice on issues like the mining scam and the leaders alleged that the government is favouring the mining companies by lowering the fines imposed by the apex court.
"The government has not fulfilled its promise of making Keonjhar a steel district as not a single mega steel project has come up so far," said
Anant Nayak
, former
Lok Sabha
MP.
The leaders alleged that the district is lacking minimum facilities like healthcare, drinking water, education and electricity despite several schemes being implemented. The party also alleged that the administration has failed to utilise the district mineral foundation fund in a proper manner.
The BJP also said transporting and other jobs are under the control of the local BJD minister
Badri Narayan Patra
and independent MLA Sanatan Mohakud, thus rendering common people jobless.
BJP district general secretary
Subrat Mohanty
said a memorandum on various issues was submitted to the collector and if the demands are not met, protests would be intensified.
In the wake of Wednesday's agitation, police forces were deployed at different places of Keonjhar town to avoid traffic and law and order issues.