Foreign national held hostage by PPSS, released

Four foreign nationals including two South Korean employees of Hyundai who were engaged in dredging activities of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery near Paradip were held hostage for about two hours by anti-Posco activists before being released unharmed.

It may be noted IOCL is setting up its refinery close to the Posco project site near Paradip. Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) which has been opposing the Posco’ mega steel plant project in the area claimed that its activists rounded up the officials when they were moving in restricted area at Jatadhar river mouth, where Posco proposed to set up its captive port.

"The four foreign nationals including two Koreans are in our captivity. They are safe," PPSS president Abhay Sahu said adding that the officials were held hostage as they had entered the 'restricted' area. Later, PPSS activists released them today evening after getting their proper identification and purpose of movement in the Posco site.