PPSS ups ante against Posco ahead of talks

The Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS), the organization at the forefront of the anti-Posco agitation in the state, has vowed to continue its stir at Dhinkia, within the project site, to bar the entry of the police and the district officials for carrying out the socio-economic survey.

The PPSS activists conducted a ‘protest meeting’ at Gobindpur on Friday and vowed not to allow the officials to Gobdinpur for the Posco project survey. The anti-Posco activists alleged that the survey is being done without the consent of the villagers and the administration is doing this work in different villages of Gadkujang by violating the democratic rights of the common people.

Local MP Bibhuprasad Tarai expressed his solidarity with the anti-Posco activists. Tarai criticized the activities of the administration for starting Posco survey forcibly without convincing the people. “We will decide on the strategy after tomorrow’s discussions between the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) and PPSS leaders on Posco issue to stop Posco survey in Dhinkia and Gobindpur villages.”, he said.

The anti-Posco activists have viewed the talks as a fruitless exercise. “We have no faith or belief in the talks with the RDC but we have faith on our strength and unity. The anti-Posco activists are united to protect their land and livelihood. We want discussions with the Chief Minister but not with RDC”, said Manorama Khatua, a woman PPSS leader.

Another PPSS leader Abhaya Sahoo has demanded the exclusion of the entire stretch of 4004 acres of land from the Posco steel project and not just 300 acres of private land at Dhinkia as suggested by the Chief Minister.