The Orissa Government says no force would be used on the villagers who are protesting the acquisition of land in Gobinpur area of the proposed Posco steel project site in Jagatsinghpur district.State Industries, Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty, said all efforts are being made by the administration to persuade the agitating villagers, gathered on the outskirts of Gobindpur to allow acquisition of land for the Rs 52,000-crore steel plant.Meanwhile, tension continues to prevail in trouble-torn Gobindpur area due to stiff resistance by local villagers. Hundreds of local villagers started gathering from early morning on the outskirts of Gobindpur to thwart any attempt by the administration and police forces to demolish the betel vines as part of the land acquisition process.A large number of women and school-going children, backed by the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, are lying down on the sandy fields of Gobindpur as first two-tiers of shields and blocking the entry into the area.The police is making all out efforts by appealing the agitators on the public address system to vacate the place and cooperate in land acquisition process but the villagers are continuing to camp there.
News On AIR | June 11, 2011 12:32 PM
No use of force against Posco protestors: Orissa