Statesman News Service reported that buoyed with the victory in recently held panchayat election in Dhinkia panchayat, the POSCO Pratirodha Sangram Samiti, spearheading the anti land acquisition movement for last 3 years, claimed that it would continue its opposition to the steel company.

The PPSS activists and other villagers of Dhinkia panchayat organized a massive rally to commemorate their performance in the rural polls and described the day as a day of victory. Mr Sisir Mohapatra the newly elected sarpanch said that his victory reflects the sentiments of the people of the area.

He said “No matter what the government does to weaken our movement, the people here oppose the steel project and communicated their opinion through their votes, while adding that he would continue opposing the project keeping the public sentiments in mind.”

Mr Mohapatra said “Our confidence has doubled after the election and we are sure that the government will now realize what the people want. The victory of our candidates mean that the people do not want the company here and hence, supported the antagonists. The government should get the message and act accordingly. The opposition will be even fiercer in future if the government resorts to some other blatant means to suppress the people’s voice."

(Sourced from Statesman News Service)