National Alliance of People's Movements founder Medha Patkar and her team had to retract from Dhinkia near Paradip on Monday after villagers came out vehemently in support of the proposed JSW project.
Locals resisted the team’s entry on the grounds that this would disrupt brotherhood and peace in the village.
For the first time since South Korean steelmaker POSCO’s withdrawal from the area such massive support for an industry was seen in the locality.
Patkar and team intended to assess the public response to the JSW project. However, villagers stopped them midway and communicated that they have voluntarily supported the JSW project and now they do not want any disturbance among people on account of outsider interference.
During a discussion with Patkar, villagers said they have been provided timely compensation for the betel vine removal and been assured of employment opportunities. They also said that the project would change the socioeconomic standard of the village. Patkar and team had to pull back after a peaceful discussion.