Soro: Farmers here said that an industrialist had purchased land from them at Natapada in the Soro block of Balasore promising to set up a factory and give them jobs. But he is now planning to sell the land without starting the business. The farmers staged protests over the issue Thursday.
A year ago, a businessman told the farmers that he would start a company named Utkal Metallic Ferrochrome Alloys and purchased land from the farmers of Natapada, Tilada, Binagadia and Sarasankha. The company acquired around 50 acres from the farmers.
The company later set up a cold storage and a wheat mill. The unemployed children of some farmers were hired for the mill and the cold storage, but they had to give up their jobs as they did not get salaries, locals said. The cold storage is now closed and the company is planning to sell the land.
Farmers said the company had signed agreements with them during the land acquisition promising jobs to their children. The farmers have taken up the issue with the Collector and have demanded their land back.
Police rushed to the spot and held talks with the farmers. But the farmers said they would continue their protests until their land is returned.
PNN