6 killed in police-tribals clash in Orissa

KALINGA NAGAR (Orissa): Six persons, including a policeman, were killed and several injured when tribals, protesting against the setting up of a steel plant, clashed with police here on Monday.

 

About 1,000 people, mostly tribals, allegedly attacked the police and company workers as earth work was being taken up for the Rs 15,400 crore Tata Steel project, leading to the death of a policeman.
    
Armed police, stationed at the site, first resorted to a lathicharge and burst tear gas shells to control the situation, Director General of Police Suchit Das said.
    
The crowd was armed with bows and arrows and threw brickbats, he said.
    
Police then opened fire in which five persons, including a woman, were killed and several others injured.
    
"The crowd dispersed after the firing but tension continues in the area," the DGP said.
    
The local people had opposed earlier too when the company had started earth work for its project, to be set up in two modules of three million tonnes each, in November.