Pro-Posco activists up the ante, form new outfit

PARADIP: Hundreds of pro-Posco activists under the banner of Kunjbihari Gramaya Surkhya Committee erected barricades at the entry point of Gadakujang panchayat on Tuesday restricting entry of Government, company and police personnel to the project site. They are seeking their seven demands including acquisition of land and betel vines within 100 metres of the project site.The people of Nuagaon and Gadakujang, who had earlier extended support to the Posco project, were aggrieved by the callous attitude of the State Government. They alleged non-payment of wages despite distribution of 1,400 job cards to project-affected youths by Posco officials with the help of elected representatives.Following a demonstration by the youths last week, the administration had promised them to pay the dues in a week. However, they are yet to receive any wage. Alleging nexus between the elected representatives and leaders of United Action Committee (UAC), the villagers of Gadakujang formed Kunjbihari Gramya Surkhya Committee to take up their demands with the administration. Leader of the committee Charana Parida said 1,000 acres of land, including betel vines within 100 metres of the project boundary line, would be severely affected after establishment of the plant. The villagers have demanded acquisition of the land and the betel vines and payment of compensation, but officials ignored them, he added.Sarpanch of Gadakujang Nakula Sahu said people had lost confidence in people’s  representatives and UAC leaders over non-fulfillment of their demands. Police officials led by Tehsildar Basudev Pradhan and other revenue officials too failed to pacify the agitators, who vowed to intensify their agitation if their demands are not conceded.Tuesday’s agitation affected sand-levelling and other construction work at Polang and Noliashai village of Gadakujang panchayat. Meanwhile, district administration which suspended axing of trees for three days following holiday and Independence Day resumed work at Nuagaon on Tuesday.  Sub-Collector Murlidhar Mallick said the administration was considering the demands which will be taken up in the RPDAC meeting for August 24.