File picture of a Posco project office set on fire

Paradip, Feb. 18: Some patches of land acquired for the Posco project has been encroached again by farmers who re-erected betel vineyards that were dismantled last year.

An uneasy calm prevails in the project villages following registration of criminal cases against more than 200 villagers in connection with the alleged acts of violence and vandalism on February 16. Those who were spearheading the agitation have fled the village fearing arrest by police.

People’s protest continued today with local residents staging a public meeting at Nuagaon. Villagers kept a watch at the wooden barricaded gates to thwart possible entry of Posco company officials into the project areas.

“The administration has received reports of rebuilding of betel vines in some of the areas acquired for the steel project,” said Jagatsinghpur collector Satya Kumar Mallick.

Jagatsinghpur police superintendent Satyabrata Bhoi said: “No police force have been sent to the villages as the situation has been reported to be normal in those areas. However, we are on the lookout to arrest the persons who razed the project boundary wall to ground and torched the company’s makeshift office at Nuagaon. As a precautionary step, we have advised the Posco officials to seek police escort if they desire to move into the project areas.”

Erasama tehsildar Sarat Kumar Purohit said: “Encroachment of this nature (re-erection of betel vines) would be sternly dealt with. Occupiers of the land have already been paid compensation for demolition of their vineyards. The land has been transferred to the steel company, although they are yet to take physical possession of it. The district administration would ensure that the land transferred to the company is kept free from encroachment.”

“As the reoccupation of the reclaimed land is an act of illegality, criminal proceedings would be initiated against the occupiers. Steps are being taken evict the squatters,” said Purohit.

Vineyards were rebuilt on acquired land last year too. The squatters had later been evicted. However, no legal action had been initiated then and the encroachers were let off with a warning. This time, the officials have been directed to demolish the newly built vineyards. Criminal case would also be registered against the occupiers under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act,” said Mallick.