Villagers protest VALs pond extension works

BHAWANIPATNA: The imbroglio surrounding extension of red mud pond of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. (VAL) in Lanjigarh seems to be getting murkier with each passing day.Even as 47 villagers of Rengopali who were arrested for protesting the work have been released, people of the village continue to protest. In the last monsoon, the red mud pond of VAL had breached due to excess water flowing into it following which, the company decided on expansion of the pond. Although the work was started on January 21, Rengopali villagers protested it stating that the road used by them will be damaged if the pond is extended. They further alleged that VAL had earlier acquired a lot of land in various parts of the village, but did not rehabilitate any of the affected villagers as per the norms.When the people obstructed the work, the administration had imposed prohibitory orders in the area. The police had to arrest 47 of them. On the other hand, villagers alleged that police resorted to lathi-charge in which 46 villagers were injured. Those arrested were remanded in judicial custody for some days. However, work on the pond had to be stopped as villagers continue to protest demanding complete land acquisition and subsequent rehabilitation.