Published: 10th August 2015 06:29 AM

PARADIP: With South Korean steel major Posco reportedly announcing to withdraw its project from Odisha, the activists of two rival groups of the project, who had lodged complaints against each other since 2007, met at Patana village under Dhinkia panchayat on Sunday to resolve the dispute and withdraw the criminal cases.

Reports stated that 52 families were allegedly tortured and ostracised by the anti-Posco activists for backing the Posco steel project in 2007. Their houses were set ablaze and the betel vines and paddy crops damaged. After death threats, the families left the villages and were living in Posco transit colony since June 26, 2007.

However, the families which had left the village, returned to Patana in two phases in July and December 2014 after negotiation with anti-Posco leaders.In 2007, one of the affected persons, Rabindra Sahu lodged an FIR against 14 anti-Posco activists including Dhruba Charan Swain and Surendra Das at Kujang police station. Police had registered the case and submitted the charge- sheet stating that the accused persons were absconding.

Meanwhile, a petition was filed by Swain and 13 others against Sahu in Orissa High Court in July last year challenging the proceedings of the cases pending in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Kujang.

Meanwhile, some of the petitioners were arrested and released on bail by JMFC and some have been released on anticipatory bail by the High Court.

On Sunday, both the groups noted that since the dispute between them had been amicably settled by the intervention of well-wishers and relatives, they do not want to pursue the cases any more.

Meanwhile, the High Court has served notice on the opposite parties including Sahu to appear before the court in person by August 14.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Warring-Groups-Resolve-to-End-Fight-Over-Posco/2015/08/10/article2966816.ece