Balangir: BJD Veteran A U Singh Deo stood like ‘Rock Of Gibraltar’ for the poor slum dwellers of Balangir Town, who were facing eviction by the District Administration in Balangir Town here on 8 January.
Former Minister Shri Singh Deo was leading the protest rally here to oppose eviction drive of the District Administration in Ward No.19 in Phalsapatri area.
More than 200 poor slum dwellers families were facing eviction without resettlement in the bitter cold of January. This was opposed tooth and nail by the Oppsotion BJD.
Shri Singh Deo along with Balangir Municipalty Chairperson Lika Sahoo, Vice Chairperson Gayatri Bhoi, BJD Women’s Wing Chief Damayanti Bag, Councilors, Sambhu Nag, Shatrughna Bag, Ganga Chand, Nandini Podha, Santoshini Kunar, Kishor Kumbhar and hundreds of BJD leaders and workers protested the eviction.
Former Minister urged the officials to restrain themselves from evicting the poor slum dwellers and requested the District Administration to resettle these families in proper place. BJD Youth Leader Bulu Behera co-ordinated the entire protest.
Balangir Lawmaker, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has been urging the District Administration to chalk out Comprehensive Resettlement Plan for the slum dwellers before any eviction process to begin.
Shri Singh Deo has been requesting the State Government for proper planning and development of Balangir Town and accordingly all the stakeholders are needed to be taken into confidence.
Balangir Lawmaker Shri Singh Deo has raised the issue in various forums and demanded to make Balangir Town, a Smart Urban Zone, while taking care of the poor slum dwellers.
Looking at the vehement opposition led by BJD Veteran Shri Singh Deo, District Administration has kept the eviction on hold.
Agitating leaders led by Shri Singh Deo have demanded proper settlement plan for poor slum dwellers is needed to be chalked out in consultation with the stakeholders.