Paradip, June 28: The Jagatsinghpur district administration today used force to dismantle betel vineyards triggering tension in the proposed Posco project area near Paradip.

After a break of a fortnight, the land acquisition process got underway evoking angry protest from land owners. Eighteen vineyards were dismantled and most of the land owners offered resistance while demolition was carried out in the presence of armed police.

“The process was carried out with minimum use of force. The land owners and protesters were dispersed from the spot. Despite provocation, police acted with utmost restraint,” said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police (SP) Satyabrata Bhoi.

“We acted in conformity with legal provisions by evicting the encroachers from the occupied land. The land owners were served notice and were informed of the acquisition,” added Bhoi.

However, anti-Posco activists contradicted the SP’s claim.

“The land owners were beaten up mercilessly. Their vineyards were demolished at gunpoint and they were forced to take the compensation cheques in the presence of armed police,” said Prasant Paikray, spokesperson, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, an anti-Posco outfit.

Pravakar Mohanty, one of the betel vineyard owners, said: “Even after requesting the officials to spare the vines, they did not relent. Armed policemen beat me up and drove me out of the spot,” he said.