By Our Correspondent
KORAPUT:12-hour bandh was observed in Odisha’s Koraput district, advocating for district-based jobs amid allegations of job grabbing by non-Koraput individuals.
Local organisations led the protest, highlighting that only a minimal number of teaching positions were allocated to Koraput residents
Koraput district on Friday witnessed a significant outpouring of public support as local organisations observed a 12-hour bandh advocating for the rights of the youths of the undivided koraput district.
protest echoed the sentiments of the local youths who alleged job grabbing by non-Koraput people. While hundreds of youths from tribal-dominated districts are in need of jobs, youths from other districts often take away their jobs, the protesters alleged.
Demanding district-based jobs, the joint action committee organisations observed the bandh from 6 am in the morning that will continue till 6 pm in the evening. Offices, shops, schools and colleges remained shut for the day as a sign of solidarity for the bandh call.
Marching through the streets with banners and placards, demonstrators voiced their concerns over a range of issues majorly focusing on jobs taken away by non-Koraput people in the teaching sector. As per reports, out of 922 teaching positions for junior teachers, only 40 people from Koraput have been selected while the remaining aspirants are from other districts
MLA Taraparasad Bahinipati said this bandh is for the sovereignty, integrity of Koraput irrespective of caste, creed and political all people have joined and demanded for the employment of local youths.
President Youth Congress Sandeep Samantray said since many a years we are demanding for our right and now it’s the time for the Government to reschedule the appointment procedure and give priority to locals of undivided koraput samantray thanks the public for voluntarily closing there establishments and supporting the strike.
While BJD Youth leader Dharmendra Adhikari demanded immediate appointment of the local youths at undivided koraput not only teaching post but also in all all other private and government sector. Adhikari also said the bandh is supported by each and everyone of Jeypore town and also warn govt to take action if not such demonstration will be more interested cing future.
Out of 922 posts for junior teachers, only 40 aspirants have got jobs from Koraput district. The remaining posts are all occupied by aspirants from other districts. If people from other districts take away all the jobs in our district, where will our boys and girls go? Should educated students from Koraput go live in jungles or move to other states to work as migrant workers? The government is blatantly playing with the future of Koraput people,” alleged Rupak Turuk, member of Milita Kriyanustan Committee.The situation is no different in tribal-dominated districts of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada. Out of 860 junior teacher positions In Nabarangpur, only 134 candidates are from the district while the remaining is from other districts, claimed a local.No comments could be obtained from the district administration or the state government in this region.
