Berhampur, Dec.15: Villagers of tribal-dominated Baniabasa village in Patrapur block of Ganjam district, about 80km from here, have detained two government engineers in protest against delay in construction of a road.
Assistant engineer Bedambar Behera and junior engineer Haladhar Pradhan of the Baghalati dam project are in the custody of the villagers for almost 24 hours.
The villagers want the executive engineer of the Baghalati dam project Jyotirmoyee Rath to explain to the villagers the reasons for the delay in construction.
The police said that the villagers had initially detained five persons — two engineers, two amins (revenue officials who measure land) and another officer — while they were returning from a village after a survey work on Saturday.
Later, they released three and kept two engineers with them. The tribals are demanding construction of substitute roads from Tadaka Sahi to Majhibana, for which budgetary provisions of Rs 2.67-crore was made two years ago. The village road between Tadaka Sahi to Majhibana was discontinued after the construction of the Baghalati dam project.
“We are taking all necessary steps for the safe release of the two engineers. ,” said K.P. Das inspector-in-charge Jarada police station.