The Anchalik Surakshya Committee (ASC), at the forefront of a movement to reclaim land acquired decades ago for an Indian Railways project, has threatened economic blockade if their demand is not met.
ASC president Deme Oram, addressing a gathering of tribals who lost their land in the Bandomunda area in Rourkela’s outskirts, said that the vacant land, originally acquired for an Indian Railways marshalling yard project, rightfully belonged to the tribals and should be returned to them.
Approximately 1,000 families of the original inhabitants continue to hold on to the land, which is officially designated for railway projects but remains unused, Mr. Oram said.
