Two anti-Posco activists killed in bomb explosion in Odisha

At least two anti-Posco activists were killed and another seriously injured while allegedly making a bomb at Patana village in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district today, police said.

However, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), which is spearheading the protest, denied the charge that the victims were involved in making bombs and claimed that three of its members were killed in an attack by project supporters.

Jagatsinghpur SP Satyabrata Bhoi said, "We have information regarding death of two persons while making bombs behind the house of one Sura Das in Patana village."

The SP, however, said that he was yet to ascertain names of the victims as the police could not reach the place. Patana is considered the stronghold of the anti-Posco agitators and local people were opposed to entry of police in that area.

Denying preparation of bombs by anti-Posco agitators as claimed by police, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) president Abhay Sahy said, "Three of our men are killed in the attack by project supporters. Our people were attacked as they opposed construction of a road from Patana to Balitutha."

CPI leader Rama Krushna Panda, however, claimed that three PPSS activists were killed and another sustained injured when the project supporters hurled bomb at them.

"We have already informed the police about the incident and sought ambulance to carry the injured persons to hospital. But, ambulance was yet to reach the village," Panda alleged.