POSCO Pratirodha Sangram Samiti decides to intensify stir from 10th Sept in Orissa

Report Amarnath Parida; Jagatsinghpur: Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti has decided to conduct a public meeting at Balitutha under Erasama block to intensify stir against proposed Posco steel project after the decision of Posco company for beginning of plant work in early next year .

The stronghold of PPSS activities in proposed Posco affected areas Dhinkia, Gobindpur, Patana, Nuagaon and Gadkujang villages had been weakened after arrest of PPSS leader Mr Abhya Shaoo in last October ’08. Meanwhile, Mr Shaoo has been released from jail in last month after being languished seven months of jail. His release has given new inspiration and cheer among the Posco affected villagers and anti Posco activists in which PPSS has decided to conduct welcome ceremony on 10th September at Balitutha to generate public support against Posco steel project and also intensified stir against said project for the well being of the affected villagers .

Both district administration and ruling party leaders including legislators who have been taken initiatives to expedite Posco project work in early next year have been harassed by the intervention of Jagatsinghpur MP Mr Bibhuprasad Tarai to protest Posco steel project in Paradip area . While local legislator cum agriculture Minister Mr Damodar Rout has needed the cooperation of the local people to expedite plant work , the role of MP Mr Tarai to protest Posco steel project has created obstacle to start plant work from the next year. Tarai who was the CPI candidate enjoying BJD support for the last general election had maintained his anti Posco stand from the very out set. Meanwhile, Mr Tarai has been protesting Posco steel project and generated public support against Posco steel project. He has clarified that seat sharing had been made to save BJD government as well as general election purposes but no seat sharing for Posco steel project.

Realizing the role of MP Mr Tarai, BJD heavyweight cum agriculture minister Mr Rout said that no forces can stop Posco steel project in Paradip area. He said that former MP cum CPI leader late Lokanath Chaudhry was shouting against industry in Paradip but he failed to achive his mission because he foiled his planning. CPI leaders never want the wellbeing of the poor of Erasama but I do not give them chance to protest industry in Erasama area –Rout added. He also expressed that neither Tarai nor Shaoo could stop Posco steel project in Paradip. He said that there are no Jana Andolan leaders (anti land acquisition leaders) in Orissa to protest Posco project in Paradip.

Talking to this paper, Mr Shaoo has expressed that the affected people have already determined to give their life and blood for safety of their land and livelihood so no forces can stop to fight against Posco Company. They have already taken oath not to allow Posco and government officials to enter into their villages. If any attempt is being made by administration and Posco Company to enter into their villages, the entry roads will be sealed. Meanwhile anti Posco activists have united and strengthened their unity by uniting the villagers of Posco areas to fight against Posco Company –hinted Mr Shaoo.
Anti Posco activists have decided to continue to debar district administration as well as Posco officials from entering the areas especially Dhinikia, Gobindpur villages if any force can utilize on them to expedite project work and land acquisition process. The project will face stiff resistance from the affected villagers of three panchyats Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadkujang – he warned.

Mr Shaoo has also informed that PPSS has decided to conduct public meeting on 10th September at Balitutha so Jana Andolan leaders from different areas like Kaling Nagar of Orissa , Raypur of Madhya Pradesh and Singur & Nandigram of West Bengal. CPI leaders from parts of the country would also participate in this public meeting to protest Posco steel project. PPSS would also chalk out planning and strategies on that date to intensify stir against Posco Company. Orissa