Will Posco zone beckon Rahul?

PARADIP: In a bid to apprise the Central Government of the ground realties on the Posco project, both pro and anti-Posco camps urged All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi to visit the disputed project site during his two-day sojourn in Orissa, slated to commence on July 13.  Dubbing the stand of Congress on the Posco project as dubious, secretary of United Action Committee (UAC), a pro-Posco outfit, Nirvay Samantray said it was unfortunate of the State Congress to oppose the project despite a clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. UAC has also urged Rahul Gandhi to facilitate resettlement of the 52 families, allegedly ostracised by Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS) activists for supporting the project.  “Rahul Gandhi should personally see the plight of these families. He should know how the villagers are being exploited by outsiders and take a look at the land earmarked for the project,” UAC members said.PPSS too has welcomed Rahul Gandhi. “We expect Gandhi to join us against the forcible land acquisition by the Government,” said Prakash Jena, PPSS leader and member of Dhinkia panchayat samiti. He pins hopes on Gandhi’s recent trip to UP to oppose the alleged forcible land acquisition by the state government there.Though the affected villagers are upbeat about Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Orissa, party sources confirmed the tour itinerary did not include a visit to the strife-torn region. Instead, Rahul will interact with the tribals, they said.