The road blockade in Kalinga Nagar has been withdrawn and normalcy is being restored in this sensitive industrial hub of Orissa after fresh trouble erupted over the killing of an activist belonging to the Bistapan Birodhi Jana Manch (BBJM). Any flare-up in the area always has its impact on the disruption of the communication arteries. Road blockades in Kalinga Nagar remained in force for nearly 18 months in 2006-07 after thirteen tribals were killed in police firing on January 2, 2006. Memories of the 2006 blockade were revived again after an activist of BBJM was gunned down last week. Unlike in 2006, the district administration initiated timely action to sort out the grievances of the agitating tribals in an expeditious manner. The Tata steel plant has already run into rough weather since 2006 and the dark clouds hovering over the project have not blown over yet. It seems no amount of compensation or negotiations can bring about a rapprochement between the government and the agitated tribals. The leaders of the anti-displacement movement do not want the plant under any circumstances. Tempers may have cooled down, but the wounds of 2006 have not healed yet.


There can be more trouble ahead as Maoists have made strong inroads in this area. The arrest of Maoist leader Anna Reddy by Jajpur Police showed how the Left Radicals have strengthened their presence at Kalinga Nagar. The district administration needs to reassess the situation to cope with the anti-displacement movement.
 The government should not be oblivious of the fact that Kalinga Nagar will set an example for other anti-displacement movements. The Bistapan Birodhi Jana Manch along with various other ultra-Left outfits have endorsed a nine-point charter of demands. The demands say not a single person should be displaced because of industry or otherwise not a single acre of cultivable land and forestland in the entire Sukinda area should be acquired for industry or any other project. Families already displaced should be given five acres of land. Readers can judge for themselves whether the government is in a position to accede to this demand or not.