Kotpad: The time has come to fight not for politics, but for Odisha’s interests and its farmers. Addressing a press conference organized by the Joura Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, President Pankaj Kumar Patra, Vice President Balkrishna Bishoi, and Secretary Chinmay Kumar Shadangi stated this.
They alleged that while the Chhattisgarh government is diverting Joura’s water by constructing barrages, the Odisha government is extending its full cooperation, violating the 2003 agreement and harming Odisha’s interests. Only the Joura Bachao Sangharsh Samiti is actively protesting against this.
Currently, six panchayats in the Kotpad block are suffering from water scarcity, and agriculture has been severely affected. Despite the crisis, no one is responding, and the voices of Kotpad residents are being ignored. The Sangharsh Samiti has urged all political parties to visit the Joura river site and witness the ground reality.
The BJD was the first political party to visit the Joura river site and raise its voice on the issue. In response, the Sangharsh Samiti expressed gratitude to Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik and all members of the delegation for their efforts.