Despite prohibitory orders imposed by the district administration at Patana village, members of Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS) took out a rally near the village with the bodies of three persons who died in Sunday’s blast. The rally started from Dhinkia village and culminated near the approach road to Patana.
Family members of the deceased, leaders of five political parties - CPI, CPM, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Forward Bloc - and anti-displacement activists participated in the rally led by PPSS leader Abhay Sahu. They demanded compensation for families of the deceased and the medical expenses of the injured to be borne by the Government.
Meanwhile, the district administration continued with land acquisition at Govindapur village amid security bandobust. Eleven betel vines were dismantled and `16 lakh disbursed.
SP Satyabrat Bhoi said no untoward incident was reported during the rally.
Pro-industry Family Threatens Suicide
One Narayan Parida and his family members of Govindapur on Monday threatened to commit suicide if the State Government fails to come to their rescue. Narayan’s was one among 72 families who were ostracised by anti-Posco activists in 2008 for supporting the proposed steel project. Anti-industry members had destroyed his betel vines in 25 decimal of land and set fire to his house before ostracising him.
He had returned to the village last year after paying a fine of `1000 for each of his family members. Government officials had then assured him of giving compensation for his betel vines. However, no help came forth. Harassed, Narayan and his family members laid themselves before the vehicle of the Collector demanding Government intervention. “I have nothing left in this village. I do not even have enough money to rebuild my house,” he said.
Narayan is not the only case. Many pro-Posco villagers like him are living in penury amid continuous harassment by PPSS members and without Government help. Last week, 15 families who were ostracised from Govindapur by PPSS members, met the Collector and demanded assistance to rebuild their houses.
Collector Satya Kumar Mallick said the issue will be raised during the next RPDAC meeting.