Lying Down For Justice: The POSCO Satyagraha in Pictures
By POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti
Countercurrents.org
Here is an excerpt from an article by S.G.Vombatkere “Lying Down For Justice Children Show The Way”
“The people and especially the children of Dhinkia, Gadkujang, Govindpur and Nuagaon villages in Jagatsinghpur District in Odisha have shown the nation how people matter over governments’ plans for development of business corporations at their cost. The children ‘illegally’ lay down on the hot earth under in the blazing summer heat and refused to move to allow entry to government officials to take over forest land and their villages for the POSCO mega-project.
“This was in the face of around 1,000 policemen armed with lathis, tear gas and rifles threatening dire consequences if the villages were not vacated, making loudspeaker announcements every 15 minutes. Apprehending night or dawn attack by the police, the people have also been maintaining overnight vigils. This situation prevails not for one or two days but for two weeks, during which normal life in the villages is completely disrupted; the area is essentially in a ‘state of war.’ But the people have been strictly peaceful throughout and have been able to withstand the Odisha government’s terror tactics that work towards the strategy of acquiring the land for POSCO in terms of the MoU signed in 2005.”
Read the full article here
Here is a message from the protesters:
Dear Friends,
You may know that the Jagatsinghpur district administration has temporarily halted forceful land acquisition for POSCO project (for local festival and holidays). The government will restart the process from 17th June 2011. We are planning to intensify stir to protest forcible land acquisition at Gobindpur village.
The officials illegally demolished betelvines at Gobindpur village. Our people are now rebuilding it. Despite a halt in land acquisition, we are continuing with our protest.
Attaching herewith the photographs for your information and wider circulations.
In solidarity,
Prashant Paikray
Spokesperson, POSCO pratirodh Sangram Samiti
Phone no – 09437571547
For further background and pictures, click here.
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