By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Tension prevails at the site of a proposed steel plant by Posco-India, a subsidiary of South Korean steel major Pohang Iron and Steel Co, in Orissa following fresh violence.
At least 17 people, including five women, were injured after two groups described by the police as supporters and protestors of the project clashed Thursday evening at Balitutha, some 120 km here.
The clash, which left at least eight people critically injured, erupted when around 100 people backing the project attacked a camp of protestors for rejecting a panel set up by local leaders Wednesday to bring the situation back to normal in the region.
The protestors, also numbering around 100 including women, retaliated.
Both groups reportedly hurled bombs. The injured have been admitted to the government hospital at Balitutha, a police officer told IANS. A tent set up by the protestors was burnt, the officer said.
Balitutha is the entry point to the proposed Posco site. The protestors have blocked the road in the village to prevent the entry of the police, company and government officials to the site over the past two months.
A week ago, the protestors had imposed a ban on the entry of the pro-Posco people to the site. The protestors were sitting on the road armed with sticks, axes and other weapons.
The protestors vacated the camp Thursday night after pro-Posco groups destroyed their tent. The place has been taken over by the police.
Although the police and government officials are trying to bring the situation back to normal, it remains tense.
The region has witnessed a series of clashes since the steel company and the Orissa government signed a deal in June 2005 for a $12 billion plant. The plant is to come up near the Paradeep port by 2016.
Those protesting the project say the plant will displace over 20,000 people from around 15 villages and ruin their livelihoods. Posco says the plant would affect only 500 families but would create thousands of jobs.