Sixteen injured in clash over Posco road project

The resistance to proposed Posco steel plant in Orissa took an ugly turn on Monday as nearly 16 people were injured during a face-off between the agitated villagers and the workers of a construction company.

The incident took place at a spot four kilometer away from Dhinkia in the proposed Posco site as anti-Posco activists were opposing the construction of a coastal road.

The road is expected to connect the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) refinery site with the Posco’s proposed 12 million tonne steel plant. Paradeep Parivahan Ltd had bagged the contract to build the road.

The clash between the company workers and supporters of Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) intensified when the people from both sides lobbed crude bombs at each other followed by stone pelting. Though no one was injured during the bombardment, 16 persons were injured when the construction company workers later reverted back with sticks and chased away the PPSS supporters.

However, no one has lodged police complaint about the incident.

“Violence occurred between two private parties, but no one has lodged any complain yet. Nearly eight bombs were hurled at the spot. Police has kept strict vigil about the situation and the construction work of this road is going on peacefully,” said Debadatta Singh, district superintendent of police, Jagatsinghpur.

Posco supporters, meanwhile, joined the fighting and helped the construction company officials to drive the villagers away from the spot. The contracting agency later started road work with the help of Posco supporters.