KURMIMAL (JHARSUGUDA): They were displaced once during construction of the Hirakud dam project and now after 55 years, they are awaiting another displacement. This time by Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Limited (IBEUL) at Sahajbahal in Lakhanpur block of the district. Kurmimal village under Lakhanpur block is situated on the banks of Hirakud dam reservoir (HDR). Three sides of the village are surrounded by reservoir’s water while 150 acres of agricultural land, owned by the Gountia family (village headman), is to the west of the village. The 70 landless families, mostly tribals and Dalits, are dependant on these 150 acres for their livelihood. They take the land on lease and cultivate it to make both ends meet.However, the legal heirs and other family members of the Gountia family have reportedly sold the entire land to IBEUL in a bid to earn easy bucks.As a result, uncertainty looms large over their fate. It is learnt that the then Gountia of Rampela, Satrughan Panda, had resettled the displaced families of Rampela and Dihupada at Kurmimal after their houses were submerged during construction of the reservoir. He had also leased out his land to the villagers, so that they do not have to face more hardship. Today, however, they are back to square one and unsure of their livelihood after the land is acquired. Hira Bhoi of the village said except two families, all others in the village are landless. While some are into cultivation on the leased land, others manage by fishing in the HDR. “But fish population too has come down drastically over the years,” he said. With IBEUL officials paying little heed to their plight, the villagers are now gearing up to oppose the company’s proposal for an ash pond over the land.
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