ANGUL: Tension prevailed during the public hearing of the Mahaguj coal mine at Chhendipara on Thursday with the affected villagers beating up the local legislator and two mediapersons besides setting afire the venue.Adani Group is opening a coal project and a washery at Chhendipada which is being opposed by people of nine nearby villages.According to reports, before the meeting was to begin thousands of irate villagers stormed the venue and ransacked it. They then set it afire and asked people to leave the venue. They also assaulted MLA Khageswar Behera who was present. Two mediapersons covering the incident were also attacked.The mob then marched towards the Chhedipara tehsil office and blocked the Chhendipara road demanding cancellation of the coal project. They lifted the blockade with the intervention of administrative officials who promised to cancel the public hearing. Sources said even as the 8,000-strong mob gathered, none of the senior officials of the administration reached the spot to pacify the protestors.
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