CPI activists staged a demonstration demanding immediate halt to alleged forcible land acquisition for POSCO steel plant near Paradip as part of a countrywide protest by the party against the project.

A large number of CPI workers and supporters took out a rally accusing the Orissa government of trying to demolish the prospering rural economy and agriculture besides snatching away livelihood of villagers in proposed POSCO plant site.

Carrying placards, the rallyists shouted slogans against the state government accusing it of unleashing terror in Dhinkia-Gobindpur area in Jagatsinghpur district to acquire land forcibly in the area for the South Korean steel major.

Addressing the demonstrators, senior CPI leaders extended full support to the anti-displacement brigade in their battle against POSCO project.

In Balasore, a public meeting was organised and memorandum sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding permanent halt of land acquisition for the proposed mega steel project.

Similar protest rallies were held in Keonjhar and Cuttack districts too.

(Sourced from PTI)