The SDO at the meeting on displacement. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, June 12: The East Singhbhum district administration has decided to issue directives to the land acquisition office to find out the actual status of those displaced after the construction of Dimna lake in 1983-84.

The decision was taken after representatives of Jharkhand Mukti Vahini met Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer (SDO) Kartik Kumar Prabhat at his chambers today. They urged him to grant permission for fishing and boating to displaced villagers who had lost their land as a means of livelihood.

“Permission for fishing and boating have been granted to those who lost their land after construction of Chandil dam. Permission can also be granted in the case of Dimna lake,” said a member of the body.

In a written submission to the SDO some weeks ago, the body had claimed that people of five villages had been displaced after the construction of the lake more than 20 years ago.

While some of the displaced villagers received compensation, about 35 people are yet to get the same, they added.

The SDO said that he would soon direct the land acquisition office to find out the exact details related to the displaced.

“The administration just cannot grant permission for fishing and boating without going through the actual position of those displaced. The officers concerned will be asked to pursue the matter and submit a report,” he added.

Youths of displaced villages are earning their livelihood through fishing and boating in Chandil Dam, some 30km from Jamshedpur. Since the dam is a tourist place, the money is adequate for youths, who have been unemployed for years.