[Reader-list] A call for support from PPSS Odisha

[asit das]

A call for support from PPSS Odisha

As you know, under the banner of POSCO Pratirodh Sangarm Samiti (PPSS), our
people are making a relentless struggle against the establishment of
integrated steel plant and captive port by POSCO, a South
Korean<http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.5833333333,127.0&spn=10.0,10.0&q=37.5833333333,127.0%20%28South%20Korea%29&t=h>company.
We have been opposing this project for the last seven years and
have chosen peaceful, democratic forms of struggle to express our
resistance to this project and our refusal to give up our lands and
livelihoods for it mostly because we all know that our resources fish,
betel leaves and rice does not only feed us , but also will continue to
feed all our generations to come.

There have been number of undemocratic tactics used by the POSCO company
and the state government <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_government> to
break our democratic struggles. Instead of acting as a welfare state , the
state government is very much interested for the welfare of POSCO thereby
depriving the land and livelihood of more than 22,000 people.  The state
police in collusion with the Posco sponsored goons have launched an assault
on the peaceful protesters who have been fighting an exemplary democratic
struggle for their survival (Jal, Jangal, Jameen) over the last seven
years. After inflicting severe physical injuries on people, old and young,
the administration has slapped numerous fictitious cases and booked a large
number of them on these fictitious grounds.



We came to know from the media that our Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh<http://pmindia.gov.in/>had assured the South
Korean government
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_South_Korea>that
construction of the project would resume from July 2012 and had
directed the state government to complete the initial formalities,
including land acquisition for the project, at the earliest.

The ground situation is already grave. Both the state administration and
POSCO are now making dirty tricks to trap and divide the villagers. Our
villagers have exposed this plan and caution the administration to refrain
from making attempts to create divisions among the villagers.

However, at any point of time, the government police force will forcefully
enter into our area and there is every possibility of blood-shed in the
villages as the villagers are determined not to leave from their habitats.

At this juncture, we would like to request to you to provide a financial
support to sustain the movement.  The support will help in  the following
activities

1.  There is an urgent demand for medicines and doctors in the area. 3-4
days medical camp is needed to treat serious health problems. People,
especially women, children and the elderly are suffering the effects of
seven years of restricted medical access, and various gynecological
problems, arthritic conditions, parasitic infections, skin diseases etc.
are rampant.

The list of medicines which are needed: Azilla 500, Taxim 200, Norcofloxin
T.Z, Daiclofenial, ceflimin-200, other antibiotics, paracetamols, cough
syrups, antaacids, Betadin Ointment <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topical>,
pmol syrup ( for children), medicines for dysentery etc.

2. Organising lawyers to defend the activists being charged under false
criminal offences. Till now 2 persons are in the jail, more than 200 false
cases have lodged against the villagers and warrent order has been issued
against more than 1500 people out of which 500 are women.

Here is a quick estimate of the of the money required for securing bail for
the cases A sum of around Rs 1000-2000 is needed for securing bail in the
session/ district courts. Rs-5000-10,000 is needed for the a bail for a
person in the High court, while tens of comrades are under threat of
getting arrested and each passing day the police is filing on false cases
against activists and villagers.

3. Organising people at the community level in the areas related to
proposed port, water and mining through promotion, meetings and mass
protests. Particularly, at the face of current targeted threats by the
police, goons of POSCO backed by administration and political touts to the
villagers of Govindpur, PPSS initiated a *‘Campaign to Save Govindpur’* –
which will have several meetings, rallies including a massive rally and
meeting of 20,000 people.



We sincerely hope – you will consider our request and extend your valuable
contribution to the movement.

Kindly forward it to Girija as we don’t have his mail id.

Expecting a positive response,

In Solidarity,

Prasant Paikray,

Spokesperson, POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti

Mobile no-09437571547

E-Mail - prashantpaikary at gmail.com

* *

*Tentative. Budget Requirements from July 2012 –  June 2013*
  1. Legal expenses Like Lawyer <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer>’s
fees, petitions etc. Rs. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupee> 2,00,000


 2 Medical aid <http://www.insurance.com/health-insurance.aspx>   Rs.
1,00.000


 3. Organizing people against plant, and port
Honorarium<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorarium>for 10 workers

( Rs.3000 per month  x 10 worker x 12 months )
Rs. 3,60,000




     Total budget requested Rs. 6,60,000




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