Villagers’ blockade hits production at Talcher Coalfields

Bijay RoutTalcher, July 14: Talcher Coalfields which produces two lakh tonne of coal per day witnessed complete shut down today following the imposition of indefinite economic blockade by the Biju Janata Dal supported Talcher Surakhya Manch.“No coal was sent to any power stations in and outside the State today either by rail or road.So also no coal was produced from any of the nine coal mines here due to the stir.Agitators also closed all MCL offices at Talcher.Coal supply to NTPC and Nalco plants also was hit,” said a senior MCL general manager here.Talcher Surakhya Manch, fully supported by local BJD MLA resorted to economic blockade today as per their announcement to highlight their seven point charter of demands including opening of the medical college by MCL, water supply to villages and construction of roads among others.Angul District Collector S.R.Jadhav had called meeting on Monday of all concerned to avoid such agitation but that talk failed as the Manch leaders insisted the medical college should start from current academic session as agreed by MCL in the MOU with the State government.MCL authorities present in the meeting wanted more time as they need the approval of the Medical Council of India for admitting students in the proposed medical college.Not only Manch supporters stopped the mines but also the offices of the coalmines were also shutdown thus totally paralysing the major coalfield of MCL.Surakhya Manch president Muralidhar Sahu announced to continue the strike till their demands are met.He blamed MCL for delaying the medical college and meting out raw deal to the people of Talcher.Talcher Sub Collector S.Mishra said that efforts are on to persuade the Manch to call off the blockade.