Dhinkia villagers protest against the Posco steel plant project (file picture)

Paradip, Nov. 9: Things are back on the boil in the proposed Posco steel project areas as supporters and opponents of the much-delayed project were locked in a group clash.

The clash occurred in Gobindpur village under Dhinkia gram panchayat, the nerve-centre of resistance movement against the steel project late last night. At least four persons from both the warring groups were injured following the violent clash, said police sources.

While confirming the group clash incident, police officials said no complaint has been registered in this regard.

“We have received the information on the group clash. But nobody has come up with a complaint. We are ready to provide security to people who are apprehending retaliatory attack,” said sub-divisional police officer Shantanu Kumar Das.

“Activists of Posco Pratiriodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) came to the village and asked some of the villagers to guard the barrier gate that has been erected to stop the company and government officials. But they refused stating that they were willing to give away their betel vineyards to the project. The stubborn stand on part of pro-Posco villagers provoked the Posco Pratiriodh Sangram Samiti members and later triggered a confrontation.”, said Nirvay Samantray, secretary of United Action Committee, a pro-plant outfit.

Four persons, two each from both the sides, were injured in the clash. One of them sustained head injury, said Samantray.

The Posco Pratiriodh Sangram Samiti, the anti-steel plant outfit, however refuted the allegation. “None of our members forced the people in Gobindpur to guard the barrier gate. As some villagers said that they were interested to give away their betel vines plot to Posco, there was a heated exchange over it. The incident was minor in nature”, said Posco Pratiriodh Sangram Samiti president Abhaya Sahu. “Majority of the people are opposing the steel plant tooth and nail. They have taken a vow to fight till the project is relocated from this place. The administration by way of monetary inducement has gained over a handful of betel vineyard owners in Gobindpur,” he added.

Last month, about 50 land-owners of betel vineyards in strife-torn Dhinkia gram panchayat made a departure from their anti-plant stand and expressed willingness to hand over their land for the steel project.

Written applications in this regard had been submitted to the local revenue inspector and panchayat executive officer.

Dhinkia gram panchayat, hitherto out of bounds for land acquisition and company personnel, accounts for around 900 luxuriant vineyards. Barring a few, authorities have so far failed to gain foothold here to take possession of betel vineyards.

In a related development, the move to resume project-related work by the South Korean major and state-run Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) personnel today was thwarted by people in Noliasahi.

“The company and Idco officials were making their way towards the proposed rehabilitation colony site when local residents stopped them from going ahead. People were demanding revision in rehabilitation and compensation package for those losing land and livelihood because of the steel project. The officials later retreated from the place,” said United Action Committee secretary, Samantray.