Other States - Orissa   

Rs 1 lakh fine slapped on former officer for staging roadblockade

BHUBANESWAR: Executing the Orissa High Court order that will have far-reaching consequences, the State government has slapped Rs. 1,00,000 penalty on Chakradhar Hybru Junior, former secretary of Bisthapan Birodhi Janamanch (BBJ), for staging a road blockade that led to death of a patient.

Jajpur district administration initiated proceedings against Mr. Hybru with a warning that his property would be attached if he failed submit Rs. 1 lakh. It is the first such instance when State government has initiated proceedings to recover penalty for staging road blockade.

The district administration also cautioned the former secretary of BBJ that spearheaded anti-displacement movement in Kalinga Nagar area, the upcoming steel hub of the country, not to sell or transfer his immovable properties.

A division bench of Orissa High Court comprising Justice B.P Das and Justice M. M. Das on October 3, 2007 had allowed the State government to recover the said amount from those, who were involved in blocking National Highway 200.

One Chambara Soy had moved High Court seeking compensation for his son’s death.

He stated that road blockade on NH 200 resulted in delay in treatment of ailing son leading to his death.

The mother of all road blockades started just after killing of 13 tribals, who were opposing construction of a boundary wall of a proposed steel mill, in police firing in Kalinga Nagar area on January 2, 2006. For several months, enraged tribals blocked the NH and stopped all communications.

Referring a decision in the case of Nilabati Behera versus State of Orissa, the division bench had maintained that, “ in our considered opinion, an amount of Rs. 1,00,000 would be appropriate compensation to the victim of family.

Accordingly, we direct that an amount of Rs. 1,00,000 shall be paid by the State government to victim family and it will be open to the State to recover said amount from those who were involved in blocking NH 200.”

The penalty was slapped on August 30, 2008 and the one-month period of deposit of penalty ended on September 30 last.

However, sources said the Mr. Hybru had not paid the amount.

The anti-displacement leader had since gone into hiding evading police arrest. State police has filed several cases against Mr. Hybru including his involvement in naxalite activities.

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