Governance

In photos: Steely women lead the fight against Dhinkia steel project

The fresh land acquisition drive launched by the administration in Odisha's Dhinkia for the proposed integrated project of Jindal Steel Works Ltd has met resistance from women. DTE captures the fight
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Dhinkia village in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district is known for its stiff protests against Korean steelmaker Posco’s proposed 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) plant. Following over a decade’s protests by Dhinkia and other villages, Posco’s project was withdrawn in 2017. Here, gates were erected at the three entry points to the village after police attempted to arrest a village leader and to prevent administration officials from surveying land for the project. Women of the village guard the gates day and night. All photos by Priya Ranjan Sahu.
Dhinkia village in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district is known for its stiff protests against Korean steelmaker Posco’s proposed 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) plant. Following over a decade’s protests by Dhinkia and other villages, Posco’s project was withdrawn in 2017. Here, gates were erected at the three entry points to the village after police attempted to arrest a village leader and to prevent administration officials from surveying land for the project. Women of the village guard the gates day and night. All photos by Priya Ranjan Sahu.
In 2021, the Odisha government chose Jindal Steel Works (JSW) to set up its 12 MTPA steel plant, 900 megawatt power plant besides a cement plant in the same area. JSW’s plant needs over 700 acres more land besides the 2,200 acres already acquired by the state’s Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), leading to new impending unrest in the area. In the picture, children guard the gates.
In 2021, the Odisha government chose Jindal Steel Works (JSW) to set up its 12 MTPA steel plant, 900 megawatt power plant besides a cement plant in the same area. JSW’s plant needs over 700 acres more land besides the 2,200 acres already acquired by the state’s Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), leading to new impending unrest in the area. In the picture, children guard the gates.
Dhinkia was at the epicentre of the anti-Posco struggle. The village is now at the forefront of the second struggle against another proposed mega steel project. But the fear of another round of arrests and harassment looms large on the villagers’ faces. The women gather for a meeting to discuss the future strategies of the protest against the project, which they say will finish off their livelihood based on betel vines.
Dhinkia was at the epicentre of the anti-Posco struggle. The village is now at the forefront of the second struggle against another proposed mega steel project. But the fear of another round of arrests and harassment looms large on the villagers’ faces. The women gather for a meeting to discuss the future strategies of the protest against the project, which they say will finish off their livelihood based on betel vines.
A betel vineyard in Dhinkia. There are over 2,000 such betel vines that keep each of the around 700 families of the village engaged around the year.
A betel vineyard in Dhinkia. There are over 2,000 such betel vines that keep each of the around 700 families of the village engaged around the year.
Some labourers of a betel vineyard take time off for lunch. At least four labourers get employment in a betel vine throughout the year.
Some labourers of a betel vineyard take time off for lunch. At least four labourers get employment in a betel vine throughout the year.
The villagers have dug up the road leading to Dhinkia to prevent the vehicles of administration and police entering their village.
The villagers have dug up the road leading to Dhinkia to prevent the vehicles of administration and police entering their village.
India
Orissa (Odisha)
Women
POSCO
Dhinkia
Jindal Steel Works (JSW)

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