Orissa govt accepts demands of pro-Posco agitators

UAC leader Tamil Pradhan said villagers had certain reservations on construction of boundary walls and the rehabilitation colony near the Noliasahi-Polang area.

The UAC, however, agreed to allow felling of trees, clearing of forest areas, measurement of betel vine plantations and civil work in the area, where the government has already acquired 1800 acre.

Asked whether the people wanted a written assurance on fulfilment of their demands, Jena replied, "as such they did not insist on a written assurance or any time-frame for fulfilment of their demands."

With the talks positive, work at the proposed site for the Rs 52,000 crore Posco steel project is likely to be resumed tomorrow, sources said.
The Dhinkia area, however, still remained out of bounds for officials and police with anti-project agitators of the Posco Pratirosh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) continuing dharna near Gobindpur.

Protestors of the Bhitamati Suraksha Manch, backed by Congress, also staged a dharna at Nuagaon in protest against the steel project.