Date:16/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/16/stories/2007101660350900.htm

National

Anti-POSCO activists free workers

Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: The anti-POSCO activists on Monday released the 11 labourers whom they had taken hostage five days ago.

Ten carpenters and a driver were abducted on Thursday when they went near the site earmarked for the proposed steel project of POSCO-India.

There were to construct a wooden bridge over the Hadua river.

President of POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti Abhay Sahu had said that they would release the labourers after the Rural Development Department of the State government agreed not to go ahead with the construction of the bridge.

The workers were released in the presence of Officer-in-Charge of the Kujang Police Station after the administration agreed to stop work on the bridge, Mr. Sahu claimed.

Safe route

His organisation was opposed to the construction of the bridge, as it was an effort by the authorities to create a safe route for the POSCO officials to the proposed steel plant site, Mr. Sahu said.

Four officials of the steel company, including three Koreans, were taken hostage by anti-POSCO activists on Saturday. However, the police managed to secure their safe return the same day.