From: Anivar Aravind <anivar.aravind@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Subject: [OrissaConcerns] Field notes from POSCO project villages: Trees cutting underway in Polang and Gadakujang
To: connect <connect@lists.orissaconcerns.net>
Field notes from POSCO project villages: Trees cutting underway in Polang and Gadakujang
NUAGAON - Under heavy presence of police force the tree cutting exercise is underway in Polang and Gadakujang village of Nuagaon. The district administration of Jagatsinghpur has initiated the tree cutting exercise from Saturday as it was halted by protestors on July 15 and since then administration never took any exercise in the proposed villages.
While the DSP who was heading the heavily armed police force refused to make any comment on the nature of activity and exercise. He repeatedly commented that the force is just maintaining the law and order and it's a regular practice. When asked that who is cutting the trees inside the forest he refused to make a comment.
While the additional district magistrate Saroja Kanta Choudhury was quoted in the local newspaper saying that "A record number of 4,000 forest category trees were pulled down today. Moreover, about 40 acre – stretch of prawn gheries were measured. Side by side the civil constructions such as, boundary wall on the demarcated project border; resettlement colony in Jokerpada near Polang and road-laying, made good progress,"
Speaking over phone the District Collector Mr.Narayana Jena said that this acquisition decision is not through any consultation of villagers rather it's a decision by ministries moreover he added that the Nodal agency for infrastructure development as appointed by forest department is IDCO. He also mentioned the police are for defense only and it's protecting the workers busy in land clearance along with maintaining law and order. When asked whats the next move of administration he said the land acquisition will continue
There was no sign of protest in those forests this time as it is believed that local administration has negotiated the settlement with most of the villagers but heavy presence of forces raises question on this deal as well. Polang village comes under the Nuagaon panchayat where the resistance is not that strong compared to other villages like Dhinkia and Govindpur.
While the regular dharna of PPSS was not organized on Sunday in village of Dhinkia and Govindpur on the contrary the land acquisition process continued on Sunday as well.
Superintendent of Police said that he has direct orders from government to cooperate with POSCO and IDCO to carry out the project.He was categorical that no consultation was made at panchayat level rather it is decided by the
ministry. He also said that operation will continue till the forest is cleared for the project
This is ironical to note that forest department is working with agency like IDCO which is responsible for creating infrastructure through land acquisition and deforestation for industrial sectors. The forest department which is primarily responsible for conserving trees and forest apparently appears serving the corporate interest in the state
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