Jagatsinghpur (Odisha): After over a decade long struggle, the Odisha government had acquired 2,700 acres of land for POSCO steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district. But now with POSCO giving indication of withdrawing the steel plant project from Odisha, the farmers who had given up their land for POSCO are now forcibly reclaiming it.
The boundary wall that was once built by the Odisha government to safeguard the land acquired for POSCO have been demolished by villagers and betel vines are fast coming up over the land.
Akhaya Sahoo, 38-year-old graduate from Govindpur village, gave up his land to POSCO two years ago in the hope of getting a job at the steel plant. But with no alternate for livelihood, the compensation of Rs 3,10,000 which he had got is now fully spent.
Sahoo said, "The betel vine is gone and the compensation money is spent. We have no option than to reclaim our lost land to earn back our livelihood."
In 2013, there was a massive drive by the district administration to demolish 2,000 betel vines to acquire 2,700 acres of land for POSCO for the steel plant. Under pressure, most of the farmers agreed to give up their land, accepting compensation. But with POSCO indicating withdrawing the steel plant project, the farmers now feel cheated.
Tamil Pradhan, a village activist, said, "It's the job of the Odisha government and the Central government to give mines or water to POSCO set up plant. It's not our job. If the government is unable to provide that to POSCO and they go away then, we should get back our land to earn our livelihood."
The local authorities have so far filed police complaints against several villagers for forcibly reclaiming the land they had already given for POSCO project in lieu of compensation. In early July, POSCO CEO had announced suspension of all operations in Odisha. But the farmers on the ground who have lost their land to the project are not willing to wait any further.
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