Patkar Joins In Protests Against Posco

Patkar joins in protests against POSCO

by NDTV, (Paradip)

13th February 2006

After the Kalinga Nagar clashes, the POSCO steel plant in Orissa could become the flashpoint of a new controversy over displacement. Locals are protesting against the proposed $12 million steel plant near Paradip. Social activist Medha Patkar joined in support of the protesters. She was accompanied by a host of senior Sarvoday leaders on a padayatra campaign across several villages in the Paradip-Kujang belt. They were also protesting against a proposed private port near Paradip. The $12 million steel plant to be set up by the South Korean steel major will displace several villages in the area. The state government has agreed to provide 4000 acres of land for the plant. The protesters allege that the project will destroy the rich agricultural economy of the area.

Big hit

Medha Patkar was a big hit with the women folk. She preferred personal interaction with the local people to holding rallies and public meetings. "POSCO's economics is against the country. This is not development, this is not economically viable and the state has mortgaged all its rights. "There is no agreement reached with the local people or even the state assembly. There's all concession in favour of POSCO and none to the people," said Patkar. Patkar has pledged her unqualified support for the people's resistance movement that is fast building up against the South Korean giant.