Shutdown at Posco site in Orissa

Protesting against alleged police excess on anti-Posco activists, a shutdown was today observed at Balitutha and nearby Kujang in Orissa's Jagatsinghpur district.

The shutdown has been called by CPI, which is supporting the Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) and whose MP BP Tarai was arrested as a preventive measure yesterday before the crackdown on protesters resisting land acquisition since January 26.

With police guarding Balitutha no one was able to enter or leave the villages in the area, where shops remained closed and vehicles kept off the road in response to the shutdown.

The situation was under the control though tension prevailed in the area, Jagatsinghpur SP Debadutta Singh told PTI.

Tarai and Congress leaders Umesh Swain and Jayant Biswal were released on bail in the early hours today after locals had gheraoed two police stations in Paradip area last night demanding their release.

PPSS president Abhay Sahu told PTI over phone that a human wall has been put up by Samiti activists, comprising mostly women and children, near the bamboo gates at the entrance to each of the villages in the area.

"No one will be allowed to enter the proposed plant site," he said.

Sahu cautioned the administration that people would strongly retaliate if police dared to enter the villages.