https://www.fian.org/en/press-release/article/communities-resist-steel-companys-state-sanctioned-land-grab-in-jagatsinghpur-india-3044 Communities in Jagatsinghpur district in eastern India have protested against illegal state-backed land grabs for nearly two decades – first against Korean steel giant POSCO and now against a subsidiary of the Indian steel major Jindal Steel Works (JSW) group. The blatant disregard Indian authorities have shown for the local peasant communities’ human rights is a clear example of the need for a UN binding treaty to hold corporations to account.
Their struggle forced POSCO to withdraw in 2017. But then Odisha’s state government handed the community’s land to JSW subsidiary, JSW Utkal Steel Ltd. (JUSL) prompting local communities in Dhinkia, Nuagaon, Govindpur and neighboring villages to continue their struggle that began with POSCO.
The new planned megaproject includes an integrated steel factory, a sea port, a cement grinding plant, mines and a power plant. If it goes ahead it would displace up to 40,000 people, according to estimations, with disastrous impacts on their rights to food, water, work, health, adequate housing, as well as a healthy environment.
Most local people are agricultural workers and fishers. Their livelihoods are based on the rich biodiversity and fertility of the area.