nThe agitation in front of the Lakhanpur GM office by Darlipali villagers demanding jobs and compensation reached 7th day on Sunday. However, due to deteriorating health condition of Amod Oram, Lab Chuda, Mamta Singh and Kaikei Oram, they were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) by Banharpali police Villagers Jagabandhu Karali and Suresh Singh said that they want their rights, not any alms from the Government. “Engagement and compensation are the rights of people. First, the MCL should give jobs to those whose houses are sacrificed for the company or else, they should get back their houses and lands,” said Karali and Singh. The fasting will continue till such time, the MCL has not given jobs and compensation, they warned. 

Likewise, the cut-off dates for appointment and compensation prepared by the MCL in 1995 should be changed, which should be given to the people as per survey done by MCL for Darlipali in 2018, said president of Lakhanpur Mines Displaced Revolution Committee Biranchi Sahu and advisor Gopinath Majhi. The present strike has the support of Lakhanpur Mines Displaced Revolution Committee, various political parties and many mines displaced and affected villagers. Notably, the

Darlipali villagers have been displaced due to extension of MCL mines. But, the villagers are not given jobs and compensation.

Sources informed that a notice to displace Darlipali villagers for extension Belpahar opencast coal mines was issued in 1995. But, the MCL has not yet provided compensation to many families along with  jobs, settlement and different basic amenities.

Instead of solving the problems of the villagers, the MCL is forcing them for displacement, the villagers alleged. Besides, the MCL is doing heavy blasting in the mines near the village to increase coal production. As a result, the villagers are at risk