Villagers encroach upon land acquired for Posco project

Posco's decision to temporarily freeze its 12 million tonne steel project in the state has prompted affected villagers to encroach the land that they once ceded for the mega project.

Hurt by Posco's announcement, hundreds of land losers of affected villages like Nuagaon, Gadkujang and Gobindpur have reoccupied around 500 acres of land within two days.

The state government had acquired 2700 acres land in Nuagaon, Gadakujang and Gobindpur villages. Out of this, 1703 acres were transferred to Posco India.

The anguished land losers have occupied the land to restart cultivation of betel vine, paddy and other crops and also construct prawn gheries for their livelihoods.

Land losers under Dadhibaman Jew Forest Committee have occupied their surrendered land after hearing Posco's announcement. The committee, that has 140 members, had extended its full cooperation for erection of ten containers to function as site office of the company from where project related activities were being monitored, including land preparation and disbursement of compensation in 2012.

The main aim of this site office was to facilitate execution of various project related activities in close coordination with locals.

Posco India was providing remuneration of Rs 9000 per month to the members of the committee to look after this site office. Members of the committee lost their jobs when the site office was shut two years back.

"Members of the committee have been deeply hurt by Posco's decision. So, they have reoccupied the land and have also started fencing them. The reoccupation of lands is rising as there is no boundary wall", said Tamil Pradhan, leader of pro-Posco outfit United Action Committee (UAC).

According to Jagatsinghpur collector, B K Upadhyaya, non-construction of boundary wall around acquired land for Posco steel project is the main cause of encroachment of land by local villagers.

The administration is taking steps for erection of boundary wall for protection of acquired land and the tahsildar has been directed to remove encroachments, he said.