Bargarh villagers block NH-53 demanding storm compensation
Chakarkend villagers blocked NH-53 in Bargarh to demand compensation for July 28 storm losses after receiving little government aid.
Residents of Chakarkend village in Bargarh blocked National Highway-53 for nearly two hours on Saturday, demanding government compensation for losses from a July 28 storm that damaged homes, crops and farmland. The storm uprooted trees within a nearly four‑kilometre radius, blew away asbestos sheets from houses and left sand‑covered fields. Protesters said most affected families received little or no aid despite assurances from the local MLA and district officials, prompting the road blockade after a written representation seven days earlier went unanswered.
What damage did the July 28 storm cause?
The storm on July 28 uprooted a large number of trees within a radius of nearly four kilometres from Chakarkend village. Strong winds blew away asbestos sheets from several houses. Heavy rains damaged standing crops, created large breaches in agricultural fields and left several patches of farmland covered with sand. Fallen trees also disrupted road connectivity to the village for nearly two days.
What are the villagers' demands and government response?
Residents said most affected families received little or no government assistance despite aid from voluntary organisations that provided cooked food, polythene sheets and essential medicines. The local MLA and district officials, including the sub‑collector and tehsildar, visited the area and assured proper assessment and adequate compensation. According to villagers, only a handful received Rs 4,000 each, while the majority claimed they got nothing. They had submitted a written representation seven days before the protest seeking immediate disbursement, but no steps were taken. On learning of the blockade, assistant collector Mada Panda and tehsildar Sonali Pattnaik reached the spot and held discussions with the protesters. Later, sub‑collector Prasanna Pandey and district agriculture officer Mamata Tripathy went to the site and tried to pacify the agitators. The officials accepted the villagers’ demands and assured that all grievances would be discussed and resolved at a meeting on Tuesday. After the assurance, the protesters lifted the blockade but warned they would block the road again if compensation was not provided within 15 days.
What happens next?
The villagers have warned that they will launch another road blockade if compensation is not delivered within the next 15 days. The officials have agreed to discuss the grievances at a scheduled meeting on Tuesday.
What caused the villagers to block NH-53 in Bargarh?
The villagers blocked NH-53 to demand government compensation for losses from a July 28 storm that damaged homes, crops and farmland, saying they had received little or no aid.
What damage did the July 28 storm cause in Chakarkend?
The storm uprooted trees within a nearly four‑kilometre radius, blew away asbestos sheets from houses, damaged crops, created breaches in fields and left sand‑covered farmland, while fallen trees disrupted road connectivity for nearly two days.
What assistance have the villagers received from the government after the storm?
According to villagers, only a handful received Rs 4,000 each, while most claimed they got little or no government assistance despite assurances from officials.
Which officials visited the protest site and what assurances did they give?
Assistant collector Mada Panda and tehsildar Sonali Pattnaik first reached the spot, followed by sub‑collector Prasanna Pandey and district agriculture officer Mamata Tripathy; the officials accepted the villagers’ demands and assured a Tuesday meeting to discuss grievances.
What warning did the villagers give if compensation is not provided?
The villagers warned they would launch another road blockade if compensation was not delivered within 15 days.
When did the villagers submit their written representation to authorities?
They submitted a written representation seven days before the protest seeking immediate disbursement of compensation.
How long did the highway blockade last?
The protesters blocked National Highway-53 for nearly two hours before lifting it after officials’ assurances.
Snehalata Bariha
District Correspondent, Bargarh
Snehalata Bariha covers Bargarh's paddy-belt agriculture, farmer welfare schemes, and the Dhanuyatra festival beat from her base in Bargarh town.
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