Angul, Jan. 4: Raijharan villagers have been blocking the road linking Angul to Deogarh via Chhendipada for the last nine days, as district authorities continue to ignore their demands.

The village and land adjoining it are in the process of being acquired by four industrial houses.

As the road continued to be blocked, people in other parts of the district were unable to visit Angul town, on which they depend for basic amenities.

Sarat Pradhan of Chhendipada, who came to Angul on work, said: “People in other parts of the district are facing inconveniences because of the blockade as they depend on Angul town for their basic needs.”

The villagers have been demanding uniform compensation for all the affected persons and have submitted a 16-point charter of demands to the district administration. The industrial houses would acquire 4,000 acre of land that would involve the displacement of 7,000 villagers.

The villagers demand uniform land compensation rates, jobs for the displaced people including women members of the village. They are also opposing acquisition of the land on which their community graveyard stands. Old trees in the area should be spared as well, said Draupadi Sahu, who is leading the stir.

The protesters, who have been braving the cold and blocking the road round the clock, are firm on their stand that they will not call off their stir unless their demands are met.

A police team headed by local sub-divisional police officer R.K. Sigh today visited the spot and tried to persuade the people to end their stir. The officer urged the villagers to participate in the meeting called by the district authorities on January 5. The villagers, however, refused to go to Angul saying that talks should be held in the village itself.

Contacted, additional district magistrate of Angul, Debraj Senapati, said that he was hopeful that people would come to the talks table. The administration would do its best to fulfil their demands, he said.