Eight arrested in OPGC vehicle burning case

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Jharsuguda, Oct 31:

Eight persons have been arrested today for setting afire Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) inspecting team’s vehicle in Tilia panchayat in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district yesterday.

The team comprising officials of state government owned power generation company had visited the village to inspect land for the third and fourth phase of under construction OPGC power units at Banharpali here when the villagers protesting against land acquisition held three officials captive, had roughed them up and set their vehicle on fire.

The officials, including Ministry of Environment and Forests Director VP Upadhyay, visited the Lakhanpur village for inspecting land yesterday afternoon.

However, the locals had put up a blockade protesting the move of the OPGC officials.

When the officials tried to convince the locals, the agitated villagers prevented the vehicle carrying director VP Upadhyay to proceed towards the site, dragged the officials out and set ablaze their vehicle.

The officials, however, managed to escape unhurt from the clutches of the agitating villagers and informed the police about the incident.

By the time the fire tenders reached the spot, the vehicle was charred.

Police force has been deployed at the proposed project site to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the locals have gheraoed the Banharpali police station protesting against the arrests of the villagers.