Social activist Swami Agnivesh, who reached the area to

express solidarity with the people, said, "The state government has no right to acquire land forcibly. Whatever was done at Gobindpur village is undemocratic, illegal and above all criminal in nature." CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta, who was in Bhubaneswar in connection with the 48-hour strike on February 20 by central trade unions condemned the use of force for land acquisition. Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) president Abhay Sahu's hunger-strike demanding withdrawal of the police entered the fourth day. The police lodged an FIR against Sahu and others accusing them of using children as human shields. At least two platoons (about 60 personnel) of armed police were patrolling the villages. "The police force is being deployed in view of the prevailing law and order situation at Gobindpur village and nearby areas," Jagatsinghpur SP Satyabrata Bhoi said. He rejected the allegation of use of force for land acquisition. "Anybody can go to the spot and talk to people. There has been no use of force as alleged by certain leaders," the SP said.