Posco land acquisition halted for the day, police withdrawn

Police might stay in Gobindpur if land givers in the village feel threat

The land acquisition for Posco's mega project in Jagatsinghpur district came to a halt on the fourth day today and the police force was withdrawn following demands from school children and women who joined the protests.

"The government decided to stop the land acquisition for the day. The forces are being withdrawn," district Collector S K Mallick said. "We have agreed," he said, adding that the government took the decision after holding talks with the protestors who were joined by school children and women demanding withdrawal of the police.

The district collector said, however, that the police might remain at Gobindpur village if those who gave their land felt a threat to their lives.

The protestors demanded action against a government land acquisition officer who was caught on camera beating up people and chasing away children, he said. He would consult senior government officials before taking any decision on resumption of land acquisition work, he said.

He said that 14 betel vine plantations were acquired for which a compensation of Rs 26 lakh was paid. The state government had resumed land acquisition work on Sunday after keeping it suspended for over one year.