Land acquisition for Posco becomes difficult

Bhubaneswar, Jun 20: Land acquisition for Posco's Rs 52,000 crore steel project seems to have become an uphill task for Orissa government as anti-displacement brigade gained strength from political parties and social activists with BJP leaders visiting the proposed plant site on Sunday, June 19.

A ten-member BJP delegation, led by Bimbadhar Kuanr, visited Dhinkia area in Posco's proposed project area in Jagatsinghpur district and extended their party's support to the agitators in their battle against the project.

Members of the BJP delegation held discussion with leaders of Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), which has been spearheading the agitation against the mega steel project for the last six years.

Opposing any forcible land acquisition for Posco project, the BJP leaders said no land should be acquired for a multinational company without the consent of people.

The visit gave boost to the anti-Posco agitation as it came a day after social activist Swami Agnivesh and Congress leaders toured the area to voice their protest.

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patker is likely to visit Dhinkia. The district administration is keen to resume land acquisition, official sources said.

PTI