Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4 -- Residents of Tabalbanji village in Odisha's Bolangir district have refused to vacate their homes despite the village facing complete submergence due to the Lower Suktel Dam project, official sources said on Tuesday.

The villagers, who have already received compensation, allege that the administration has failed to provide proper rehabilitation and resettlement arrangements, leaving them with no option but to stay in their ancestral village.

Tension escalated when officials, accompanied by local police, reached the village to demolish houses ahead of the impending submergence.

However, the residents staged a strong protest and prevented the police and administrative officials from entering the village, leading to ...