SONEPUR: Lokmata Panigrahi (92) had to face displacement when 249 villages got submerged leaving 22,000 families homeless following the construction of Hirakud dam. In 1955, she again had to leave Mahulapali in Bargarh district and settle in Kutmenda in the district.The Sindol Prakalpa Birodhi Manch (SPBM) has rightly selected her as the chief guest for the parallel Independence Day celebration planned at Gandhi Padia here to register protest against the proposed Sindol Hydro Power Project. Lokmata would face displacement for the third time if the State Government goes ahead with the project.Sitting at her home donning a white saree, Lokmata said that there is hardly any emotion left in her after having to leave home and hearth for the second time. The region reels under problems of displacement, poverty, penury, starvation, migration and lack of livelihood opportunities. The State Government should work to eradicate them first, hydro power and industrialisation can wait, she said.Accepting SPBM’s invitation, Lokmata said that she will share her experience with the gathering.So enthused are the people over the presence of Lokmata that farmhand Gora Danta of Arigoan village in Binka block of the district said that he hoped the presence of Lokmata will provide fuel to the ongoing agitation against the project which threatens large-scale displacement.Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Badri Narayan Patra is slated to attend the official Independence Day celebration to be held at Royal Padia.
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