[MUSAB IQBAL, Chief Editor of newzfirst, travelled to the very heart of resistance in Odisha to understand the overlapping phenomena of resistance and development. He interviewed the leader of anti POSCO PPSS [Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti] Abhay Sahoo, a man who architected this movement from ground zero and led it through its all tough time. Lived a period in underground, jailed for months and now confined to a small home of PPSS worker in Jagdishpur village far from his native village to shape and lead the movement.]
Tell me about PPSS.
When on June 22, 2005 the MoU was signed by the state government with POSCO, it was clear that the steel plant is coming. A protest was organised that very day in the state capital in which I was also present. Then my party (Communist Party) decided that thus this project area comes under home block of Abhay Sahoo, so he must go back there and prepare a mass movement. I came here and organised 10-12 people and started educating the villagers about POSCO project. On July 11 we launched our first campaign in a rickshaw rally with microphone and covered three Panchayats and did corner meetings, on that very day PPSS was formed and I was named its Chairman and Sisir Mahapatra its General Secretary. This is a mass resistance not political resistance – BJP, Cong all are supporting this movement.
Since 2005 what PPSS is doing?
We felt that educating the people should be first priority. So we decided to do a high level campaign across the villages to educate people about the imminent danger and for that we invited a lot of high profile leaders as well. D. Raja also came and addressed the villagers of almost all villages; after him many other comrades came. After these campaigns the government felt that even pro POSCO protestors are coming to PPSS, then ministers decided to come to us and explain the rehabilitation policy.
And when the protest began?
So on January 21, 2006 we protested on main entry point against the ministers and we said clearly that we will not allow them to enter and there must be no POSCO. This was the first major protest outside the village with thousands of women protesting as well. So they went back.
But again they did same programme in Nuagaon; there also we protested and they did similar programmes in Dhinkia. In that programme 4000-5000 people gathered with us and protested against the pro POSCO rally. There was severe confrontation with them. So Dhinkia show was flopped and ministers failed to do their programmes.
When the first case was registered against you?
First case against me and 52 others under Section 307 was slapped immediately after the Dhinkia protest.
From April 11, 2006 we went underground and we didn’t step out of the village but the spirit of protestors was high. The police also arrested nine people and later it was declared on behalf of villagers that the police and administration cannot enter the village and we also detained police and administration when they entered. So the police remained outside the village and we remained inside as the warrants were against many of us.
When were you arrested?
On October 12, 2008 I came out of the village for treatment and then only I was arrested. I was charged with 33 cases and when I was in jail four more cases were slapped. I was in prison for 10 months 14 days. Now 49 cases are against me. The Government has charged me for doing movement, keeping officials in detention, etc.
Who are in favour of POSCO? What is Pro POSCO?
Actually the POSCO Company identified few villagers, gave them money and formed a unit or committee in their favour to break the protest which resulted in riots in the village among pro and anti. 52–56 members formed united action committee in favour of POSCO.
In every village there are 10–20 supporters; pro POSCO people are very less but they are patronised by the Government, administration and company.
Is Nuagaon supporting POSCO?
Nuagaon has maximum 100 supporters. Palli sabha passed judgment against POSCO.
What’s your take on Transition camp?
Transition camp is among the ‘mistakes’ of company. Now the transition campers want to return under administration. We don’t have problem with them but they must not come back with administration.
When the police started camping in school?
On November 29, 2007 when we were protesting day and night at Balitut the POSCO goons came and burnt our camps. So we withdrew from main entry point. More than hundred of men and women were injured. After our withdrawal the police made camp in every school building except Dhinkia for four months.
We gave the slogan ‘Save Dhinkia’ and on April 1, 2008 activists and members of various mass movements from across the state almost 10,000 – 12,000 came here breaking the police barricade and forcing the police out. Then we recaptured many villages.
How Tapan Mandal was killed?
We were doing digging activity near the mouth of sea; while coming back from there 59 goons were hiding in Govindpur School and they started bombing. Tapan Mandal died then only while two others were rendered severely injured.
How the firing occurred?
In January the Government announced that South Korean president will visit POSCO project villages so we did meeting and sat on dharna on 26th January day and night at Balitut and his programme was cancelled.
Thirty platoons entered in May and did fire rubber bullets with lathi charge and used water canon injuring hundreds and then arrested five persons. Section 144 was announced and all meetings were banned and the police took control of the village.
A.B. Bardhan then asked the state government to lift 144 else he will break it, so the Government lifted 144.
You never spoke to POSCO?
We never spoke to POSCO, they came but we detained them. It’s decided we will not talk to them. I met CM in June 2010; he agreed to conduct a survey to calculate the loss and damage but not under police supervision. I invited him to the village and he promised he will come. Survey guys came but CM never came.
What is the status of project now?
Meen Gupta Committee recommended that this is violation of forest right but after clearance by the ministry the land acquisition is done under supervision of police. The Government and ministers are talking about peaceful land acquisition then why the police is there. The police is basically trying to crush the opposition and creating fear psychosis among villagers.
1600-1700 acre has been acquired so far in Polang and Nuagaon. I can’t go there as I will be arrested. Forcible land acquisition is underway; if there is no police, no acquisition can take place. Main land is in Dhinkia – the valuable one. Plant is impossible without Dhinkia. We have to think how to get back the acquired land too.
And what do you think why POSCO wants this very land?
They say it is a port-based plant. They want captive port and also sand dunes will help them. All infrastructures are ready for them. In the name of diversion the Government is giving the forest land for free to them. And also they are getting the iron ore with a royalty of just Rs. 27.
Why you are opposing POSCO?
All agriculture is on Government land – forest land is people’s livelihood. It’s a profitable and self reliant economy and it should not be destroyed for industrialisation. Cultivable land should never be destroyed. Water is not available for irrigation, how shall it be given for industry.
What about the mining licence?
Without mine there will be no factory. If mining licence is cancelled, the industry is not possible.
How you see the future of POSCO?
POSCO is not possible. Dhinkia movement will never break… it’s united… they will have to shift. In Dhinkia it’s not possible. Only force can destroy this resistance.
Your message for other movements?
Agricultural economy should be preserved and developed. Industrial growth should be for all. All India united movement of farmers is needed. Farmers’ movement need to be centralised.