Medha joins dharna against POSCO:Over 100 activists arrested

Bhubaneswar, Oct 15 (UNI) Over a hundred anti-POSCO activists were arrested before Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence here during a demonstration demanding an open debate on the 12 MTPA Steel plant, proposed by South Korea steel major POSCO in Paradip.

The demonstrators, belonging to Rastriya Yuva Sanghathan and Navanirman Samitee led by social activist Medha Patkar and Bharat Jana Andolon President B D Sharma, staged a dharna this morning after the expiry of deadline set for a discussion with the Chief Minister on the project.

The protestors shouted slogans and tried to enter into the Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister, but they were prevented by the police. Some demonstrators were injured during the ensuing scuffle. At least four policemen were also injured in the incident.

Later the police arrested all the activists except Ms Patkar and Mr Sharma and cleared the obstructions near the Naven Niwas. The police also rushed to the Mahamta Gandhi Marg where the activists had been staging hunger strike for the past 20 days, demolished the tents and arrested few activists including women and children.

They also took away the utensils, food and other belongings of the activists after demolishing the makeshift arrangement of the anti -POSCO activists.

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