Dhinkia has Become a War-zone: Say Activists

According to Anti-Jindal & Anti-POSCO Movement Spokesperson Prashant Paikray, Odisha police have created a war-zone in Dhinkia village. Although residents are vigilant, Paikray told Sabrang India that many families are still harassed by police officials demanding the sanctioning of the demolition of betel vine plantations.

By Friday, as many as 19 activists and villagers had been arrested by the police for protesting the illegal demolition of plantations – the local means of livelihood. On January 14, the first 6-7 people including Human Rights Defender Narendra Mohanty, Debendra Swain and Murlidhar Sahu were arrested shortly after the release of a fact-finding report on administrative crackdown. Since then, Swain has reported severe custodial torture in jail. According to Paikray, Swain lost two teeth and has suffered a back injury.

“His mother is going to file an FIR. Mr. Mohanty will hopefully be released after a few months because he does not have as many cases against him. However, police have lodged many charges against Debendra,” he said.

On Friday, around 13 Opposition political party leaders will approach the police to talk about the release of protesters. However, the main concern for villagers remains the police violence and the attempts to hand over their land to the JSW Utkal Steel Limited (JUSL) for development projects.

Villagers claimed the police had taken to rapping on their windows every day, demanding that whoever present sign the agreement to demolish the house and plantation. Most men have gone into hiding fearing arrest, leaving the women to deal with the officials.Although women have stood firm in refusing to sign the document, Paikray said their property is still destroyed. When questioned, the police claim they have the permission of the plantation owners i.e., Dhinkia villagers.

“This is oppression. Over 400 land claims are pending but still Jindal is brought in, and locals are slapped with false charges. They are deliberately causing financial harassment to break the movement, but we are united,” said Paikray.

He further said that all neighbouring villages and their residents are now forced to show their Aadhaar card whenever they want to go outside the region. This has made normal life a distant dream for residents.

Villagers are aware of their forest and constitutional rights and thus stand firm even in the face of lathi-charges. Members of the movement have pointed out that the company does not have an environmental clearance because they do not have the villagers’ permission to build a 13.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant comprising of a 900 MW captive power plant and a 10 MTPA cement grinding and mixing unit on the land.

Villagers have stated again and again that such projects will destroy their livelihood and even won previous battles based on this stand. Yet, of late, the police have taken to extreme force against Dhinkia folk for asserting their rights.