It is reported that more than a thousand pro POSCO activists who have expressed an interest in taking part in the ensuing panchayat election slated for May 5th have sought adequate security arrangements even as the anti POSCO villagers reiterated their poll boycott call.

A number of prominent project supporters attended a meeting convened at the transit colony, where the 52 ostracized families of Patana village are housed and discussed their future course of action.

Conveying their desire to participate in the forthcoming panchayat election, most of them exuded confidence that they will vote for the candidate who will then expedite the steel project. Notwithstanding the reluctance of a few of the leaders who expressed concern over the wrath of project opponents and possible law and order situation, the majority decided in favour of participating in the elections and sought adequate security. They have reportedly submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner, collector and SP in this regard.

Meanwhile, in a major twist of events, which clearly showed the growing fraction in the POSCO Pratirodha Sangram Samiti following the CPI-BJD seat adjustment, a few anti POSCO activists suggested that those persons who have been accused of violence should refrain from venturing outside the village to cast votes as police will get a chance to nab them. However, the majority of the PPSS leaders were adverse to such a proposal and reiterated their complete boycott of the panchayat polls. They maintained that anyone flouting the PPSS’ diktat of boycotting polls will have to pay a fine of INR 5,000.

The PPSS secretary Mr Sisir Mohapatra a sarpanch candidate in the previous election said that they have decided to boycott the polls because they would have to go to another village to cast votes.

(Sourced from Statesman News Service)