The people of Dhinkia, Nuagaon & Gadakujang panchayats have been actively organizing against the POSCO deal since July 2005 when the first MOUs were signed between the government of Orissa and POSCO. Various community groups and environmental organizations from the area, as well as solidarity groups from other areas and national human right and watchdog organizations have been actively working to organize the villagers, communicate the resistance of the villagers to the state government, and to create a public debate on the issue of the Steel plant. This page lists some of those efforts.
Complaint by the Forum For Fact-finding Documentation and Advocacy to the National Human Rights Commission about the capture of over 20 schools by the State Police of Orissa.
Excerpts from the Letter
January 16, 2008
"The Forum for Fact-finding Documentation and Advocacy (FFDA) is seeking the immediate intervention of National Human Rights Commission against the capture of over 20 schools by Orissa State Police."
The reliable source revealed that over 20 schools, including the primary schools situated in the Gram Panchawts of Dhnikia, Garhkujanga and Nuagaon of Jagatsinghpur district in Orissa are being occupied by Orissa State Police and used for non-educational purposes. ....The headmaster of Badgabpur School has been suspended by the government as he opposed the police camps in his school. Also there are also allegations of Police Force involved in harassing and misbehaving students, including girls."
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"The FFDA raises its concern against the capture of these schools by the State Police. The use of educational institution non-educational purposes by State Police is against the core principles of Indian constitution and India's obligation to several international Human rights instruments. Over 4000 children have been suffering, and the state is responsible for the violation of their right to education. The primary school children, the age group of 5-14, were in fear for seeing the arms and police activities in their schools."
"The National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, of the Government of Orissa and called for a report within the next six weeks."
Open Letter to Chief Minister of Orissa, Mr.Naveen Patnaik from concerned citizens
Excerpts from the Letter
December 5, 2007
"News reports and reporting from individuals from Orissa on the developments related to the handing over of land to POSCO of S. Korea, indicates that there is a scenario developing a way similar to Nandigram. "
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"We strongly condemn the brutal and heinous attack on the peaceful protest by POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti at Jagatsingpur in Orissa on Thursday, November 29th in which at least 17 people were injured when supporters of a local MLA, armed with lethal weapons and crude bombs attacked the members of anti-POSCO group near the proposed site for the steel plant. The attackers threw about 6 bombs at the agitators; many were critically injured. The police and the district administration intervened only after the clashes took place. "
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"We are shocked with the attitude and action of the 16 platoons of police force who have cordoned off village Dhinkia where at least 1000 villagers are trapped."
Brief Report On The Anti-Posco Movement by Rajendra Sadangi, Convenor, Loka Pakhya(A Progressive Intellectual Forum)
Excerpts from the Report
December 4, 2007
"The local administration is acting in close collaboration with the Ersama MLA Damodar Rout who is aspiring to become a minister in the State Govt. The Goonda force has been jointly mobilized by Damodar Rout and the Posco company officials located at Kujanga. The whole development is monitored by Priyabrata Pattnaik, a notorius IAS officer whose action of applying for mining contract for the officers' club named 'Bhubaneswar Club' was recently exposed, has been appointed as the point person of the Govt. Incidentally the present Collector, Mr. Meherda was the collector in Rayagada district, where he had unleashed a reign of repression to silence the Kashipur Movement, which has been going on for the last 13 years against the Utkal Alumina bauxite mining and Alumina production plan of the Birlas."
People's Movements lend support and solidarity to Anti-Posco Struggle & condemn State apathy
Excerpts from the Letter
December 4, 2007
"The situation unfolding in Jagatsinghpur district, Orissa, is a cause for the utmost concern. The unholy alliance between the State Government of Orissa and Government of India in pushing through this socially destructive and environmentally disastrous project stands completely exposed. Even people who otherwise favour 'growth', 'development', 'infrastructure' and will soon see behind these 'benevolent' and 'public interest' projects the naked use of deceit, threat, physical force, violence, money and muscle power and the eyewash that the wicked Corporate-Government nexus indulges in to displace the toiling, poor, indigenous people on the one hand, and the corrupt and liberal largesse handed out to corporations at public expense. POSCO is the latest and largest example of turning over national natural resources to private interests, a most corrupt and criminal scam.
It will be the Governments moral and legal responsibility if Nandigrams keep being created and repeated. People have started seeing through the cynical game of political parties of all colours and hues, both ruling and opposition, in every place and situation, where they pretend to profess policy differences but are one and united when it comes to robbing, displacing, dispossessing the poorest people is concerned.
The pace and kind of industrialisation that has taken place in the last few years is forcing peace-loving and self-reliant communities to rise in self defence to protect their home, livelihoods and cultures. The State is also foisting violence on unarmed people. And then it complains of left extremists, Maoists and what have you."
When the State bombs its people: An Action Alert by Delhi Solidarity Group
Excerpts from the Alert
November 29, 2007
"Earlier today, the PPSS had already lifted the blockade at Balitutha Bridge , after they got the assurance that Noliasahi villagers would be freed from hostage by BJD goons. Later, 15 members of the pro-POSCO gang came and told the agitators that 'simply lifting the blockade would not do', and warned them of dire consequences if the camp and the community kitchen were also not lifted. The leaders declined to do so since it would mean death of the movement and a compromise with people's rights.
Then about 1000 pro-POSCO goons' functioning under the leadership of ex-Minister and BJD MLA Damodar Rout came heavily armed, threw about 6 bombs at the agitators, and torched the tent which sheltered the agitators for the past 50 days at Balitutha Bridge. The attack on the peaceful protesters continued for quite some time. Eight of the agitators were injured and the brother of Sisir Mahaparta, secy of PPSS, who too was badly injured, was taken hostage by the POSCO supporters. "