Iron wills speak

Resentment simmers in 27 villages near Gopalpur-on-Sea, Orissa, where the Tata Iron and Steel Company proposes to set up a steel plant on 290 ha of fertile land. Villagers clarify that they are opposed to the ousting of people from fertile lands supporting cashew) coconut and other fruit trees, and not the steel plant per se. A delegation has already met the Orissa chief minister and another is getting ready to visit New Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and stage a dhama (sit-in) if necessary. Meanwhile, vehicles are being denied entry into the area.