ET reported that ArcelorMittal's proposed 12 million tonnes steel project in Jharkhand seems to have run into trouble as a company team comprising of Mr Vijay Bhatnagar CEO for India, Mr Sanka Mishra CEO of Jharkhand & Orissa projects and Mr PS Prasad GM technical of ArcelorMittal has been made to retreat from the survey work after protests by a local group.

According to Torpa Block Development Officer Mr RB Singh, around 500 people of Rania, Karra, Torpa, Kamdara and Basia blocks in Jharkhand's Khunti and Gumla districts, under the banner of Adivasi Moolvasi Astitva Rakhya Manch, forced the 6 member ArcelorMittal team to retreat. Mr RB Singh said "When the crowd gathered, we asked the team to return."

He added that the manch submitted a memorandum demanding stopping of survey or acquisition of land for the company's proposed multi crore steel project.

Mr Dayamani Barla convener of Adivasi Moolvasi Astitva Rakhya Manch said that the villagers asked the team members who gave them permission to ArcelorMittal to survey the land. He added that "We also informed them of the strict Chotnagapur Tenancy Act which does not permit transfer of tribal land."