BHUBANESWAR: Residents of Salia Sahi, the largest slum in the city, staged a protest demanding land rights and clashed with police as they were heading toward the assembly on Wednesday.
They alleged the government did not carry out a survey of Salia Sahi to provide them land under Jaga Mission as it is a forest land. The protestors opposed construction of a 200-ft road passing through the slum.
“We have been staying here for decades. When people staying in other slums were provided with land patta, we have been deprived of our right,” said Kalpana Sethi, a daily wager.
Police detained 180 agitators while six policewomen were injured in the clash.
Official sources said the slum does not fulfil the criteria to be included in Jaga Mission.
“The government is working on settling their grievances,” said a senior officer.
