File pictures of police at the Posco project site

Paradip, Feb. 4: For better enforcement of law and order, the state police administration has decided to set up a police outpost near the Posco steel project.

The proposal to set up the police outpost in the Posco project zone has been approved by the state government.

The district police administration has been asked to explore a suitable site for the purpose, said a senior police official.

“The outpost has become crucial to instil confidence in the people living in project villages. Abhaychandpur police station, which is nearest to the project area, is far off and is located 10km away. Thus the outpost in close vicinity to the project will cater to the need to maintain law and order in a better way,” said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

“We have inspected suitable sites for the outpost. Because of their strategic location, we are planning to have the outpost either at Nuagaon or at Balitutha on the outskirts of the steel project,” he said.

Uneasy calm prevails at Gadakujang, Nuagaon and parts of Dhinkia gram panchayats coming under the proposed steel project area. Though no major breach of law and order has been reported from the proposed steel hub, the situation has turned volatile with both the opponents and supporters of the project launching resistance movement.

Maintenance of law and order has become a tough ask for the police.

The district police administration is committed to maintain law and order in project villages.

Till the police outpost becomes operational, temporary police camps with a platoon of armed cops are being stationed at Mangalapada village near Dhinkia to thwart possible breach of peace, said Bhoi.

The plan to establish a police outpost close to the project villages sends a clear signal on early resumption of project work that had been put on hold following the National Green Tribunal’s stay on tree-cutting exercise in the project boundary, said an official.

“Police patrolling has been beefed up in places such as Gobindpur and Nuagaon as some local residents are apprehending disturbances. Complaint has been lodged by a cross-section of the people who are extending support to the steel project. They are concerned about the acts of lawlessness,” Bhoi said.

“Though the situation has remained largely peaceful so far, we have strengthened patrolling as a precautionary measure. Mobile police squads from Abhaychandpur and Kujang police station are keeping close watch on the situation,” he said.

The South Korean steel company is carrying out construction of the boundary wall of the project. There are reports of protests stalling work in some places. However, the company is yet to seek police help.

On the other hand, government officials have been directed to be on alert in earmarked project areas to stop possible encroachment of the land acquired for the steel project.

“Actions such as rebuilding betel vineyards would be treated seriously because it amounts to breach of law. We will register criminal cases against the encroachers under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act,” said Jagatsinghpur collector Satya Kumar Mallick.