Koraput: Residents of a village in the district have opposed the construction of a boundary wall around a Nalco project site in a bid to push through development of their village.

This is the second time that residents of Ambagaon have opposed construction, which started on Saturday, at the project site in the district's Damanjodi area.

Strong local resentment had also forced the authorities to stop construction of the boundary wall in October 2017.

Sources said a private company has been tasked with the construction of a 5km boundary wall. However, villagers of Ambagaon, situated in the company's mines area, are against the construction reportedly because the company has failed to develop their village. They have also demanded permanent jobs at the Navratna public sector unit's.

"The company has failed to provide basic facilities such as drinking water, education and health care facilities in our village even after 35 years. Unless our village is developed, we will not allow the construction of the boundary wall," said Bhima Khillo, a villager.

They also alleged that they had placed their demands before the district administration several times in the past.

"We will not allow the construction till our demands are met," the villagers said in unison.

Officials said the construction was halted several times due to resistance from the villagers in the past 10 months.

"We have called the villagers for talks and will address their genuine demands. We will sort out any development issues, if any. However, providing permanent jobs at the company is not possible," said Koraput sub-collector Krutibas Rout.

"Anyone who tries to create law and order situation at the work site will be dealt with firmly," he added.

In October 2017, the administration was forced to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code near the construction site and deployed police to avert any untoward incident as the villagers opposed the construction.