File picture of police forces deployed in Posco project area

Paradip, Jan. 2: Security has been stepped up in areas in and around the proposed Posco steel project.

“Police patrolling has been increased in places such as Gobindpur and Nuagaon as sections of local residents are apprehensive of disturbances. Local people, who are extending support to the steel project, have lodged complaints. They are concerned about possible acts of lawlessness by anti-Posco protesters,” said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

“Though the situation has been so far peaceful, we have strengthened patrolling as a precautionary measure. Mobile police squads from Bijoychandrapur and Kujang police station are keeping a close watch on the situation,” he said. The temporary police camp at Gobindpur has been withdrawn. “However, we are thinking of redeployment of forces as the people have sought police protection from anti-Posco activists, who they claim have unleashed terror upon them,” said Bhoi.

As the National Green Tribunal has put on hold tree-cutting work in the project area, activities to set up the factory have been stopped. Moreover, 2,700 acres acquired for the steel project is yet to be handed over to the company.

Once the tribunal vacates its stay order, work on building boundary walls for the steel mill and other ancillary units will resume. Later, the entire stretch of land would be transferred to the steel company. So far, 1,703 acres has been transferred to the company, said Jagatsinghpur collector Satya Kumar Mallick.

The district administration claimed that there had been an improvement in the law and order situation in the project areas. However, the administration is apprehensive that the anti-Posco outfit might create trouble in certain pockets of the project area. To foil any such attempt, the district administration is planning to reinforce police forces at Mangalapada and Patana villages.

The steel company is now carrying out construction of the project’s boundary wall. A private firm has been engaged for the work. There have been reports of protest against construction of the wall in some places of the project area. However, the company is yet to seek police security to carry on its job.

On the other hand, government officials have been directed to keep vigil at certain project areas to prevent possible encroachment on land acquired for the steel project. Officials of the district administration have been told to take strict measures against acts such as rebuilding betel vineyards. Criminal cases will be registered against the encroachers under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, said Mallick.