Jajpur, September 3 (Odisha.in) The Vistapan Virodhi Jan Manch (VVJM), the forum leading the tribals’ agitation against displacement due to industry in the Kalinga Nagar, announced Monday that it would neither allow Tata Steel to start the construction work nor any officials of Tata to enter the trouble land in the steel hub.
In a crucial meeting that held at Ambagadia, the unofficial head quarter of the VVJM on Saturday it vowed to fight against land acquisition by Tata Steel in Kalinga Nager project till the end.
It also resolved that the opposition against the Tata steel project would continue. The government should prevent anyone from the company to enter the proposed site of the project till the crisis was fully resolved, it threatened.
Such announcement of VVJM came in wake of the Managing Director of Tata Steel, B Muthuraman’s declaration that Tata Steel would kick start the construction work in Kalinga Nagar in November 2007. Muthuraman said it on Thursday in Bhubaneswar after meeting the state’s chief minister Naveen Patanaik.
VVJM President, Chakradhar Haiburu (senior) said, “We will seize further construction of the Tata Steel that killed our fourteen fellowmen including three women who were opposing the forcibly land acquisition by the Steel company peacefully and injured hundred innocent tribals.
We would not let the district administration to go ahead with the Tata Steel project against the interest of the tribals. If the situation requires so, we would not be afraid of shedding our blood again.”
We have decided to oppose Tata Steel’s proposed plant in Kalinga Nager only as we are convinced that this steel major will made beggar the population of the areas after its plant comes up.
He said during last twenty months Tata Steel authorities have not been able to enter the area and forget about construction of the project, Senior Haiburu added.
Another high hard tribals’ leader and executive member of the Jan Manch, Nati Angarai said, “Does the Orissa Police have bullets left in their guns after the Kalinga Nagar massacre last year? I think it is a big ‘no’. Gun is no easier for the government and it can not face thousands tribals.”
He categorically said “we have decided to fight Tata Steel, what ever come our way”. The VVJM was formed following the death of 14 tribals including a school student in police firing on January 2, 2006, when the tribals clashed with the police while opposing the construction of the boundary wall of the Tata Steel’s project.
Since then the Jan Manch has been agitating against industrialization in Kalinga Nager. It had been blocked the National High way-200 for 14 months. The blockade was lifted on March 9 following an order of the Orissa High Court.
In Kalinga Nagar Industrial complex Tata Steel is trying to set up its 6 million ton per annum (MTPA) steel project.
Tata Steel, after signing memorandum of understanding (MOU)with state government to set up its steel project of Rs 15,400 crore is facing tough time to make up with the agitating tribals, who are opposing to hand over their land in favor of the company.
On January 2, 2006, 14 tribals opposing the move laid their life for their land, which is required by the company. Since then the company authorities have not been able to take up any construction job in the area.
Odisha.in