It is reported that more than 15 persons were seriously injured in the trouble torn Gobindpur village within the site mega steel plant proposed by POSCO in Orissa’s Jagatsinghpur district due to a clash between the anti and pro POSCO activists on Monday.
According to Kujanga Police Station, three persons were admitted to government health centre at Kujanga.
However, POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, which is spearheading movement against the project, disputed the figure. Mr Prasant Paikray PPSS spokesman told BL that “About 20 villagers were mercilessly attacked by steel project supporters in the wee hours of Monday morning. Seven villagers were rushed to local hospital while one villager, who was critically injured, was shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack.”
He said attack took place at Gobindpur village between 3 am and 4 am on Monday. Some persons, who were voluntarily residing in transit colony, facilitated by POSCO attacked villagers manning check gates with bombs and sharp weapons.
The PPSS leader charged that police had tactic backing to supporters of project who had perpetrated the heinous crime. He said that “A 60 year-old woman was not even spared. Villagers opposing the project, who were not prepared for the attack could not run away from the place.”
PPSS leaders alleged that anti-social elements backed by money and muscle power of company and government were again out to do bloodshed in order to suppress the movement against the project.
