Protest resumes in Odisha against NALCO’s construction of second red mud pond

On 31^st August 2021, the affected inhabitants restarted their protest against the construction of the second red mud pond by the state-owned aluminium producer NALCO near Denga Jani Guda under the Dasmantpur block. The protesters staged a dissent in front of the Koraput Collector’s office demanding complete displacement and immediate compensation as per the latest Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy.

Several distressed villagers including the women of Denga Jani Guda said: “We will not allow construction of the second red mud pond and related works in the area if proper rehabilitation package is not provided to them soon.”

The demands of the protestors comprised shifting of affected families to a safe place and requisite compensation. However, they also demanded jobs for family members in NALCO. In this regard, the villagers submitted a memorandum to District Collector Md Abdaal Akhtar. The protestors threatened to a standstill all activities of the NALCO in the village if their demands are not fulfilled by 15^th September.

Nalco, as a part of its expansion process, acquired around 227 acres of land in Denga Jani Guda in the 1980s and developed a red mud pond for dumping industrial waste just two km away from the village. The villagers have been complaining for a long time of air and water pollution due to the pond and even alleged that the industrial discharge destroyed their agricultural lands and turned to infertile. The villagers repeated demands for rehabilitation and compensation remained unheard.

Lately, when Nalco decided for a second red mud pond just 200 metres from the village has further stimulated the outrage of the affected peoples. The aluminium company’s authorities attempted to go ahead with the proposed construction work of the red mud pond but countered harsh resistance from villagers.