Anti-Posco leader calls off hunger strike

Anti-Posco leader, Abhaya Sahu, who was on hunger strike demanding complete withdrawal of police force from Gobindpur village in Posco project site, has called off his fast without achieving the objective.

The Jagatsinghpur district administration, which was carrying out the land acquisition for the Posco project at Gobindpur amidst a heavy cordon of police forces before halting the drive temporarily, has rejected Sahu’s demand.

Superintendent of police, Jagatsinghpur, Satyabrat Bhoi said, “As the land acquisition process at Gobindpur has been put on hold, we have sent back few platoons of force to state headquarter. Still, we have deployed some police at Badagabapur and Gobindpur to maintain law and order. There is no question of withdrawing police from Gobindpur completely as demanded by anti-Posco activists.”

The Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) leader, Sahu had been on indefinite hunger strike at Patanahat of Gobindpur village since last six days demanding complete withdrawal of police forces from the area. His condition had deteriorated while no official from the district administration visited him.

The leaders of some political parties opposing Posco land acquisition and social activists had rushed to the dharna spot and prevailed upon Sahu to end his hunger strike as his condition was deteriorating day by day.

Despite no assurance from the district administration, Sahu on Sunday claimed that he has called off the stir after complete withdraw of police force from Gobindpur village and Badagabapur camp

His action, however, has created resentment among a section of his supporters. One woman of Gobindpur, Susma Dei strongly criticized Sahu for ending the fast without getting his demand fulfilled.

On the other hand, United Action Committee, a pro Posco outfit, has welcomed the move. Nirvay Samantray, secretary, UAC, praised the district administration for maintaining police presence at Gobindpur. “Till today, police camp has continued at Gobindpur for giving security to the betel vine losers who had handed over their land for the Posco project despite threats from PPSS activists. Sahu’s hunger strike was only a farce and meant to mislead the villagers,” he said.