KEONJHAR: The construction activities of Kanpur Irrigation Project (KIP) over the Baitatarni at Basudevpur under Joda block in Keonjhar resumed on Thursday amid tight security after 16 months. The construction work was stopped on February 17 last year due to protest by land losers, who had demanded better compensation packages. Keonjhar collector N Thirumala Nayak and SP Rajesh Pandit along with other officials were present at the work site.About 30 platoons of police force are deployed and Section 144 of the CrPC has been clamped near the place to maintain peace. The KIP was conceived more than 30 years ago. The foundation of the project was laid by three CMs - Biju Patnaik, J B Patnaik and present CM Naveen Patnaik . Land acquisition followed by construction work started in 2003-04, official sources said. Around 3,557 people of 16 villages are affected by the project. Due to non-payment of compensation, the land losers staged several stirs.

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