Villagers gherao government and Posco officials at Nolia Sahi. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Aug. 4: Irate villagers of Nolia Sahi in the Posco steel plant area today held nine government employees, including a Posco executive and an IDCO staff, hostage for four hours demanding immediate implementation of their charter of demands.

Trouble started when the team was about to make their way into the forest areas. People stopped them demanding relief payment against the fruit-bearing trees felled earlier.

Trouble arose as the sum was disbursed today without the valuation work of the felled trees caused resentment. Local people gheraoed the team and did not allow them to leave the place.

“There seemed to be a communication gap between the administrative agencies and the state-run IDCO supervising the project,” said a senior officer.

“As people had been demanding revision of compensation and rehabilitation package, the work was officially suspended for the day. Instructions were also issued to the IDCO to stop other works. The IDCO team ventured into the village without police protection. They have not only invited trouble for themselves, but also posed headache for the administration,” said the officer.

The administration remained a mute spectator as the hostage drama continued for nearly four hours.

The Kujang tehsildar, without police escort, went to the spot and negotiated with the villagers for the team members’ release.

“We had deputed Vasudev Behera, the Kujang tehsildar, as he was widely respected in the said locality. The tehsildar managed to convince the people of the government’s intention to duly compensate the loss of livelihood of the displaced families. Finally, the protesters relented and released the personnel,” said Saroj Kanta Choudhury, additional district magistrate, Paradip.

“Though people had taken law into their hands, we were not in favour of using force. We want to win their confidence. The officer was deputed to amicably settle the dispute,” he said.

The villagers today again staged road blockade on the Gadakujang road.

The non-fulfilment of six-charter of demands despite the authorities’ series of commitment had fuelled anger amongst people, who supported the project. Their principal grouse is that the rehabilitation and compensation being doled out to them is not adequate.

“People have resolved to stall the project until their demands are met. Let the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee meet and settle the matter on August 24. Then the administration could go ahead with the work with people’s consent,” said Dhirendra Pallei, working president of the United Action Committee, a pro-Posco outfit.