NHRC expert on Posco site recce

He interacted with district officials on the issue. Posco proposed to set up a 12 million tonne steel plant at the site, for which it required 4004 acres. Out of this 438 acres are private land and the rest revenue and forest land.

Thousands of villagers of three panchyats of Dhinikia, Gadkujang and Nuagaon are expected to be affected by the project in terms of displacement, loss of cultivable land and livelihood.

Villagers here grow betel vines, paddy and cashew and run fisheries.

There have been frequent clashes between a group supporting the project and one opposing it, resulting in loss of life and property. This led to social divide and deterioration in the law and order situation.

Due to this, education of children and cultivation were affected. In view of the condition of villagers and violation of human rights, the Delhi-based Forum sought intervention of National Human Right Commission to conduct a probe regarding the land acquisition for the project and violation of human rights, if any.

In a separate development, Kujang Criminal Bar Association led by its president A Yadav submitted memorandum to the State Human Right Commission highlighting alleged violation of human rights at the Posco site recently.