August 22, 2008

Anti POSCO reject offer for dialogue with Orissa CM

It is reported that POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, the organization vehemently opposing the mega steel project of POSCO-India in Orissa, has rejected the state government's offer for a dialogue on the issue.

Mr Abhay Sahu president of POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti said that his organization will not participate in any dialogue with the government and continue its opposition the steel project. Mr Sahu said that "As the people of as many as 11 villages are not in favor of handing over of any land under the three gram panchayats of Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadakujang, we will not participate in any talks with the government.”

Mr Sahu added that "It seems to be a political pretension by the chief minister. Mr Patnaik's offer for a dialogue carries no meaning as he had already promised to give land and mines to POSCO CEO Mr Ku-Taek Lee in New Delhi on Friday.”

Mr Naveen Patnaik chief minister of Orissa has over the weekend expressed willingness to start a dialogue with those opposing POSCO’s steel project in Jagatsinghpur district of the Orissa. Mr Patnaik told reporters that he is ready for a dialogue with anyone opposing the project.

In response to Mr Lee’s announcement that POSCO would perform the ground breaking ceremony for the project in Jagatsinghpur on April 1st 2008, Mr Sahu challenged that “April 1st 2008 will never come for POSCO. We will organize all our children and youths to lead the resistance against the steel project.”