POSCO Resistance: Police Returns Back For The Day
By Newzfirst Correspondent
11 June, 2011
Newzfirst.com
GOVINDPUR (ODISHA) - As the people of affected villages didn’t pay heed to police warnings and the involvement of political leaders from CPI (M), RJD, SP and Congress mounted pressure on the administration, Odisha police returned back to the camps for the day. It is likely that they will come back tomorrow.
Talking to newzfirst, Mr. Prashant Paikray of PPSS said, “the intension of the administration is not clear at this point of time; but acquisition of 2400 acres of land is their objective”
“They were warning the protesting villagers to vacate or to face police action repeatedly from the morning. Though the police have left the place, we will be cautious as it is difficult to predict their next course of action.” he added.
According to Paikray, “about three platoons of police started destroying the beetle vines at nearby place in the morning. Their intension was to divide the people and to deviate the focus of three thousand and odd villagers. Only fifty of us and leaders of five political parties like CPI (M), SP, Congress and RJD intervened there and tried to stop the devastation of vines; but police have spoiled about fifteen beetle vines.”
“How a responsible administration can raze the property of people in his absence?” he asked. Explaining future course of action, he said, “We are planning to hold parallel demonstrations in the capital city from Monday. And, a delegation comprising retired judge of high court, PK Mishra will work out on the issues”
Earlier people of affected villages had formed four layered human chain at the border of district, where children, elders, women and youth occupied successive rows.
Yesterday, in a move to sabotage the resistance towards land acquisition for POSCO project, Government of Odisha had deployed 26 platoons of police. These villages form the epicenter of over 6 years of successful peaceful resistance to the scandalous POSCO steel-mining-power-port project – the India’s largest. This project is being pushed through by Odisha and Indian Governments in blatant violation of fundamental rights and a variety of environmental and economic laws of India.
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