Tension soared in Kalinganagar steel hub in Jajpur district of Orissa today with the supporters and opponents of Tata Steel project there coming face to face over start of work on the project.
It may be noted, though Tata Steel has started ground leveling work on the occupied land for its 6 million tonne steel plant at Kalinganagar since last Friday, it is facing stiff resistance from the project opponents who unwilling to be displaced from their villages.
Trouble started this morning when about 150 pro-Tata people including 80 ladies, accompanied by tractors, dozers and dumpers reached Ambagadia in Gobarghati village for ground leveling work.
They were confronted by a group of women belonging to Visthapan Virodhi Janmanch, which has been spearheading agitation against the Tata project. As the VVJM supporters tried to stop the work, a scuffle ensued in which both groups were seen pelting stones at each other. However, they were disengaged when police arrived at the spot. About six persons from both sides are said to have sustained minor injuries due to stone pelting. Police have detained three women activists of VVJM including the lady Sarpanch of Goabrghati.
Sources said, the project opponents tried to set fire to a dumper, but it was averted with the intervention of police. It is for the third day in a row on Monday, the construction work of Tata’s proposed steel mill was stopped by the VVJM supporters.
Meanwhile, with tension continuing to rage in Kalinganagar area, the administration has deployed 10 platoons of police force there.