Despite India’s National Green Tribunal statement on early April affirming that POSCO’s Environmental Clearance is valid only up to 19th July 2017, the case has not been closed and it will have another hearing on early May of this year. Meanwhile, the state police have turned the area in to a repressive colony.
More than 420 false cases have lodged against villagers and warrant order has been issued against more than 2000 people. Land reoccupations have also faced prosecution and criminalization. Various people movements organised a three-day protest early this year and demand that POSCO be forced to make formal announcement to completely withdraw from the project immediately; to give all the land occupied by POSCO back to the villagers; to stop all types of repression; among others.
Read the full update (in English) here.