Balasore: Odisha’s Balasore district administration has temporarily shifted over 10,581 residents from 10 villages to another place ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled missile test, an official said. The DRDO also completed the required range preparation for the missile test at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, a defence source said here on Tuesday.
The test will be conducted from launch pad number 3 of the ITR.
Meanwhile officials, including District Collector Ashis Thakare and Superintendent of Police Sagarika Nath, arranged temporary shelters at schools. Evacuation began at 4 a.m. Villagers, including fishermen, demand better compensation. 22 police sections and revenue officer involved. Drinking water and a health camp provided.
“As a safety measure these arrangements are being made with adequate compensation to affected people,” the official said.
Through the public address system the district administration has alerted people in these villages to leave their house by 4 am of Wednesday and remain in the camp till an announcement is made to return to their houses after the launch is over.
Read- ‘DRAFT NOTE’ TO UPGRADE SUKHOI FIGHTER JETS READY FOR PM-LED PANEL REVIEW
The compensation amount will be credited to their bank account after they report to the camp, said the officer.
Balasore district administration has made adequate arrangements for their stay in nearby schools, multipurpose cyclone rehabilitation centres and temporary tent shelters, said a district revenue officer.
At least 10 government officials have been deputed in each camp to assist people and 22 sections (one section comprises nine personnel) of police have been deployed to assist people in the camps.
Drinking water facilities and a temporary health camp for the shifted people have been arranged, said the officer.
At the same time, there has been resentment among the villagers who are temporarily being shifted.
They alleged that “inadequate compensation” is being sanctioned for them.
They said that the amount of compensation fixed by the district administration for the people evacuating temporarily has not changed for a long time. Fishermen and farm labourers engaged in the fishery pond, which comes under the evacuation range should also be compensated, they said. At present, for one day of temporary shifting, each adult is given a compensation of ₹300. Each minor gets ₹150 in addition to ₹75 for food.
On Monday, a petition in this regard was submitted to the ADM, Balasore, by some villagers.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
