It is reported that activists of the CPI backed POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samithy visited Thrissur to mobile support against a proposed multi billion dollar steel plant in Orissa.

Mr Prashant Paikray a spokesman for PPSS and Mr Praful Das executive committee member who participated in a meeting organized by the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, demanded immediate release of PPSS activists who had been arrested for alleged anti steel plant activities.

Mr Prashant Paikray told The Hindu “POSCO claims the plant will affect only a few hundred families. They promise thousands of jobs. Nothing can compensate for displacement of thousands of people.”

He alleged that the Orissa Government had been trying to brutally suppress the agitation. He added that “PPSS chairman Abhay Sahu was arrested and tortured. False cases have been registered against the agitators.”

As many as 20,000 people from 15 villages nearby fear construction of the plant would destroy their homes and livelihood.

(Sourced from Hindu)