Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4: Agitators who had made the "dharna site" at PMG Square their second home may need to move to a different place to stage their sit-ins and demonstrations.
The state government plans to earmark a new site for the purpose and the land is yet to be specified.
Sources said the plan was mooted following complaints from the occupants of government quarters on Mahatma Gandhi Marg as well as the fact that protests in the area were causing inconvenience to commuters.
"We are going to hold a high-level meeting with officials from various government departments tomorrow to discuss the relocation of the designated protest place. We will select the place considering the convenience of everyone," said an official of the home department.
Earlier, the entire Mahatma Gandhi Marg - between Master Canteen and PMG Square - was used for staging protests by various sections of people during the three Assembly sessions in a year. In 2015, the designated site was squeezed to 1.5km from the earlier 2km.
Officials said they had officially designated the site in 2015 and put up signage to let people know.
"We barricade the sites when protests take place and open the alternative roads. Despite this, it becomes difficult to manage the traffic as well as the agitators at the same time on the stretch," said another official of the home department.
Department insiders said the site was most likely to be relocated to Exhibition Ground near Ram Mandir.
"Exhibition Ground is the most strategic and spacious site for the plan. It is also very close to the secretariat and the Assembly. We will discuss the matter and decide on whether to go with this site or look for another one," said the official.
Mahatma Gandhi Marg becomes very crowded with the protesters from different sections demonstrating here, especially during Assembly sessions. Some agitators have permanently installed their camps here.
"The Gandhi Marg is the most strategic location for us to show our protest on different issues. It is a spacious space closest to the Assembly and the secretariat. Here, we got the support of the public too. We believe our voices are being heard here. Exhibition Ground is not a good idea. We will protest against the move," said Nitya Mohanty, a protester, here today.
