Dumping row: Odisha police arrest Sarpanch of Daruthenga

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 30:

While tension prevailed for the third successive day over the dumping of garbage at Bhuasuni on city outskirts, Odisha police today arrested Daruthenga Sarpanch Prashant Routray who allegedly led the mob protesting the solid waste disposal.

According to reports, the local Sarpanch was picked up from Jaidev Vihar area in the city and produced before Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court which remanded him in judicial custody.

The solid waste disposal at Bhuasuni was opposed by the locals today also. The protestors felled trees along the road leading to the yard following which the vehicular movement was disrupted.

The vehicular movement was normalised after the intervention of police personnel.

“The dumping activity was carried out peacefully amid protests from villagers. We are keeping a watch on the situation. Senior officers and police personnel are present on the spot,” Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said.

The city Mayor, however, said that the local residents would face no inconvenience as the proposed waste treatment plant would be constructed with latest technology. He called on the locals to help facilitate construction of road to Tulasadeipur.

“We need adequate road to take the waste to Tulasadeipur for dumping. The locals are resorting to stone-pelting, vandalising vehicles and protests. I would request them not to take law in their hands,” Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation (BMC) Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said.

It may be recalled that at least 37 villagers have been arrested so far and forwarded to court.

The SDJM court has rejected the bail pleas of around two dozen local leaders arrest on charges of arson and vandalism.

“The government should refrain from vote back politics. It should sort out the issue in a consultative way and should address the issues of people,” a local resident expressed.