On March 8, 2007, tribals lifted a blockade in Orissa's Kalinga Nagar steel complex in Jajpur district. The move came after assurances from the district administration that some demands of the tribals will be met. Tribals had been blocking the highway since January 2, 2006, when 13 protestors were killed in police firing a rally against the construction of Tata Steel's 6-million tonne steel plant (see 'Not bowed down', Down To Earth, January 31, 2006). "The decision was made in deference to a Orissa High Court directive," said Rabindra Jarika, secretary, Visthapan Virodhi Janmanch, the tribal organisation heading the agitation. Protests will, however, continue, he added.
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