Criminalising Dissent

Peoples Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) unequivocally condemns the undemocratic ways of the Odisha government in trying to further corporate interests under the rhetoric of deve­lopment, subjecting the locals to repression, displacement and a threat to survival. The arrest of Abhay Sahu, leader of the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) from Bhubaneshwar airport on 11 May in connection with a bomb blast case at POSCO’s proposed steel plant site in Jagatsinghpur district is symptomatic of the government’s attempt to eliminate all voices of opposition.

Since February 2012 the Government of Odisha, with the approval of the central government, has been forcibly evicting people and acquiring land for the POSCO project. The use of police and paramilitary forces has become a norm and it is a dangerous practice in a democracy. PUDR has earlier demanded the withdrawal of security forces and the adoption of a democratic process for the acquisition of land. Contrary to that, the government has flaunted it as the biggest instance of foreign direct investment in India and the prime minister’s office has taken keen interest in forcing this project on the locals despite their unrelenting opposition. Abhay Sahu was arrested earlier and had obtained bail from the High Court of Orissa. Arresting him this time, when he is leading the movement in opposition to the project, is but an attempt to criminalise dissent.