To allow entry of poll officials into area
The anti-Posco Dhinkia villagers have decided to participate in the upcoming simultaneous general polls by cooperating with the district administration. According to Sisir Mohapatra, the former Sarpanch of Dhinkia panchayat and secretary of the Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS), the villagers have decided that though they would oppose Posco, but they would participate in exercising their voting rights in the coming elections.
“We will allow the Government officials and the police personnel to enter into our village for conducting smooth, free and fair general elections on April 17 by setting up booths in the village. But once the elections will be over, we would once again oppose entry of the district administration officials and the police personnel into the village,” added Mohapatra.
According to official sources, nearly 2,500 voters are under Dhinkia Panchayat. In 2009, due to the opposition of the anti Posco activists, conduct of polls was affected. The Posco opponents had not allowed the Government officials to enter into the area for conducting polls.
As people faced a lot of problem following booths were set up at a long distance last time, so many villagers had skipped casting votes. This is the reason why the Dhinkia villagers have agreed to cooperate with the administration.
“If any Posco personnel come with the district administration officials on the pretext holding elections, then he will be opposed from entering into the area,” Mohapatra cautioned. When contacted, district Collector Satya Kumar Mallick stated that the anti Posco villagers have assured the district administration to co-operate. “Two booths are going to be set up at Dhinkia. Elaborate police arrangements will be made to prevent any law and order situation,” informed Collector Mallick.