Jajpur, Jan. 11: A mass dharna by land losers in the Kalinga Nagar industrial complex demanding enhanced compensation and employment entered its 150th day today.

No one, either from the government or from the industry, called them for any talks, fuelling strong resentment among the agitators.

On August 11, 2010, land losers under the banner of Kalinga Nagar Jamihara Chasi Surakhya Sangh, had launched an indefinite dharna in front of Danagadi tehsil office in the industrial complex area over a three-point charter of demands.

The main demand was upward revision of the land compensation on a par with payment being made by industries in other parts of the state.

“We have been demanding Rs 5 lakh per acre for land losers in the Kalinga Nagar area and a better rehabilitation and resettlement package,” said Nrusingha Pahi, spokesman of the sangh.

“Tata Steel has paid Rs 5 lakh per acre for its proposed steel project in Kalinga Nagar. Why should we accept five times less compensation for the same land in the same area being acquired for another industry?” he asked.

The agitators had also staged a dharna at Bhubaneswar during the recently-concluded winter session of the state Assembly. Leaders of various anti-displacement groups addressed them.

“We should be treated on a par with the land losers of the Posco steel plant and the Tata steel plant where jobs are being provided to the people who lost their lands,” said sangh president Narottam Patra.

“We are optimistic that our legitimate demands will definitely be met by the state government,” said Dusmanta Ghadei, general secretary of the sangh.

“It’s not the administration but the responsibility of steel companies to resolve the issue,” said a district level officer.

“We will be forced to intensify our agitation (if demands are not met). If necessary, we will also go for a road blockade,” an agitator said.