Jagatsinghpur (Orissa): The Orissa police, which was successful last week in entering the site of the proposed POSCO project for the first time in two-and-a-half years, says a larger threat is looming over the area.
Now, Naxals might have entered the disputed villages to fight on behalf of anti-POSCO activists. They also say that Naxals might have piled up sophisticated arms and ammunition here.
"We are getting reports that the Naxals are trying to enter the POSCO site. So we have made heavy deployment and are not allowing any one in,” says SP, Jagatsinghpur, R K Sharma.
More than four platoons of police were deployed at the proposed $12-billion steel plant site after violent protests between villagers for and against the project nearly 10 days ago.
With people not being allowed to enter or exit the area, the villagers are facing trouble.
"This area is totally gheraoed by the police. How can we get rations? This is totally undemocratic and oppressive measure by the state government,” says Chairman, POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, Abhaya Sahoo.
But they've also warned that any provocation by the police and they will give a fitting reply. The Orissa government is pushing to acquire land for the project despite stiff opposition from villagers.
"It is the question of our survival. We will fight till our last blood. Let the government build POSCO on our grave,” says a villager Manjulata Samantaray.
To make matters worse, there is a real threat of Naxals striking in the name of anti-POSCO activists and pro-POSCO supporters backed by the state government counter-attacking the villagers opposed to the project.
There's fear now that a more violent battle could ensue in the area.
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