Chhendipada (Angul): Tension flared up on Sunday as locals blocked the Chhendipada–Angul stretch of State Highway-63 following the detention of three individuals by police.

The detained persons include environmental protection committee president and village secretary Siddharth Sahu. The police action came after hundreds of villagers staged a road blockade at Koshala Chhak, protesting against coal transportation through their village.

Villagers alleged the movement of coal-laden trucks causes severe air pollution due to coal dust, posing health risks and increasing the likelihood of accidents.

The protest began around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday night, when residents occupied the highway, preventing nine coal-laden trucks from the Naini coal mine, which were moving under heavy police escort. Protesters lay down on the road and sat in defiance to stop the vehicles.

Despite a strong police presence and security cordon, the villagers refused to allow the trucks to pass.
Sushma Sahu, a villager, said residents have been staging peaceful protests every night for over a month after taking an oath at the local Maa Ramchandi temple to oppose coal transport through their village.

Tensions escalated when police and district authorities attempted to move the trucks forcibly around midnight. In response, villagers intensified their blockade. Eventually, authorities were forced to retreat, and the trucks were sent back, said another villager, Anita Sahu.

The beginning of the row

The dispute dates back to March 5, when villagers first stopped coal transportation through Koshala. Since then, they have been holding nightly demonstrations for the past 38 days, demanding a dedicated coal corridor that bypasses the village.

Repeated discussions between the district administration and villagers have failed to yield a resolution, further complicating the situation. At least four previous attempts by authorities to resume coal transport have also been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Chhendipada Tehsildar Manas Ray stated blocking a state highway is illegal and warned that legal action would be taken against those involved.