DASPALLA: (Report- Ratnakar Hota): Tensions escalated in the Takara Panchayat region of Daspalla this week following a dispute between local farmers and railway construction contractors. The conflict centers on the ongoing Khurda-Balangir railway project. Farmers in the Buguda Colony allege that construction crews used bulldozers to destroy acres of ready-to-harvest Rabi crops despite previous agreements. 
The farmers expressed deep distress over the incident. For years, these families relied on this land to feed their households. They argue that the sudden clearing of the fields has taken away their immediate livelihood and food security for the coming months.
However, the farmers claim a specific understanding existed regarding the current season's harvest. The affected families state that they spoke with the contracting agency. They requested the agency to delay ground leveling until they harvested the standing crops. According to the farmers, the agency verbally agreed to this request. The arrival of the bulldozers before the harvest implies a breach of this verbal trust.
The group is currently demanding immediate compensation for the destroyed crops. They clarify that while they received payment for the land transfer, they did not receive notice to clear the crops so abruptly. They are urging the administration to assess the value of the lost produce and provide financial relief immediately.
The Incident
According to local sources, the construction agency moved heavy machinery onto the agricultural land to accelerate the railway work. Within hours, bulldozers flattened extensive areas of farmland. The destruction claimed a variety of nearly mature crops. The damaged produce includes essential pulses such as horse gram, pigeon pea, green gram, and black gram. Additionally, vegetable patches growing brinjal and beans suffered complete destruction.The farmers expressed deep distress over the incident. For years, these families relied on this land to feed their households. They argue that the sudden clearing of the fields has taken away their immediate livelihood and food security for the coming months.
Broken Promises and Agreements
The dispute has a complex history. The government acquired the land for the rail line, but the process faced delays. For over a year, work stalled because many farmers lacked formal records for the land they cultivated. After sustained protests and negotiations, the government agreed to compensate the farmers for the land, and the farmers accepted this settlement.However, the farmers claim a specific understanding existed regarding the current season's harvest. The affected families state that they spoke with the contracting agency. They requested the agency to delay ground leveling until they harvested the standing crops. According to the farmers, the agency verbally agreed to this request. The arrival of the bulldozers before the harvest implies a breach of this verbal trust.
Allegations of Intimidation
The situation on the ground remains volatile. When farmers attempted to stop the machinery and save their crops, they faced resistance. The villagers allege that the construction company used the presence of police personnel to intimidate them. They claim the fear of police action forced them to step back while their crops were crushed. Furthermore, the farmers accuse the contractors of damaging land that lies outside the official railway project area, causing unnecessary additional losses.Demands for Compensation
A group of approximately 26 farmers has united to demand justice. Leading the protest are local cultivators including Purnachandra Jani, Subhakanta Jani, Saroj Kumar Jani, Ranjan Kumar Pradhan, and Saroj Kumar Malik.The group is currently demanding immediate compensation for the destroyed crops. They clarify that while they received payment for the land transfer, they did not receive notice to clear the crops so abruptly. They are urging the administration to assess the value of the lost produce and provide financial relief immediately.
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