Tribals of the Kalinganagar steel hub in Jajpur district on Sunday reiterated their resolve to oppose their displacement to make way for a six million-tonne steel plant of Tata Steel in their locality.
Hundreds of tribals, who came under the banner of Bisthapan Birodhi Janamanch, renewed their pledge while paying tributes to 14 persons who were killed in police firing while opposing the proposed steel plant project on January 2, 2006.
The meeting was held near the martyrs' column that the tribals had erected in memory of the victims of police firing.
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Those who addressed the meeting demanded a thorough probe into Tata Steel's mining and industrial operations in the State.
The speakers urged the Naveen Patnaik government to stop using police force to suppress democratic movement against displacement. The fake encounters in the name of countering Maoists should be stopped forthwith, they demanded.
Among others who addressed the gathering were social activist Prafulla Samantara, secretary of the Janamanch Rabi Jarika, and CPI-ML (Liberation) leader Mahendra Praida.
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SP's tribute
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party State unit organised a candle light tribute here in memory of the tribals killed in police firing at Kalinganagar five years ago.
Led by the party's State president Rabi Behera, the SP activists condemned the recent killing of two persons in the Paikamal area.
“Our party will continue to support the tribals and other people who are opposing displacement by industrial projects in different parts of the State,” Mr. Behera said.
The police firing at Kalinganagar five years ago has delayed the implementation of the Tata Steel project.