Dhenkanal, 12th Aug 2025: Over a hundred villagers stopped the vehicle of Food Supply Minister Krushnachandra Patra on Wednesday. The incident happened near Belmalia village under Nihalprasad police station in Dhenkanal district while the minister was returning from a public hearing camp.
The villagers have been demanding a solution for a long time to the local pollution problem, but no action has been taken at the block, district administration, or political level. Due to this, the villagers’ patience has worn thin. Today, near Belmalia under Nihalprasad police station, over a hundred villagers blocked the minister’s vehicle.
They questioned why the administration is indifferent to the local problems. While the police tried to calm the crowd, the minister also promised to find a solution. Following this, the villagers removed stones from the road, and the minister proceeded towards Dhenkanal.
According to information, the residents of Belmalia, Kastipal, and Shrimantapur areas are facing various problems due to a crusher operating in the locality. The environment is polluted, and houses are developing cracks. The villagers have protested several times but have seen no results.
During the last election, locals demanded the removal of the crusher. After winning the election, Minister Patra promised that the issue would be resolved. However, more than a year has passed, and the problem remains unresolved, leading to strong dissatisfaction among the villagers.
Today, they placed stones on the road to block the vehicle and questioned when the crusher would be removed.
As Minister Patra was returning from the public hearing camp, the villagers surrounded him at Belmalia, sat on the road, and expressed their displeasure. They asked when the crusher would be removed, blocking the minister’s vehicle.
Nihalprasad police officer Nirad Kumar Mallik said that while Minister Patra was returning, the villagers stopped him for a short time to discuss the problem. After receiving assurances, they cleared the road.