Tribals attack India steel site

By Sandeep Sahu
BBC News, Bhubaneswar

Nearly 40 people have been injured during an attack by hundreds of tribes people at the site of a steel plant in the Indian state of Orissa.

The protestors were demanding jobs for people who have been displaced by the construction of the steel plant in Rourkela district.

A spokesman for the steel plant said that the plant had suffered extensive damage to property and vehicles.

The protests follow similar incidents earlier this year at Kalinga Nagar.

Hundreds of tribes people, known as adivasis ('original inhabitants'), armed with bows, arrows and axes, barged into the Adhunik Metallic plant, located near Birmitrapur town, around noon on Friday.

Most of the injured were staff members.

A district official, Akshay Jena, was also wounded in the attack.

Four other sponge iron industries in the area were also attacked.

Tribal rights

The protest was organised by the Anchalika Suraksha Samiti, which is fighting for the rights of tribes people.

Police arrested around 40 demonstrators, including the president of the organisation George Tirkey.

A senior police official from Rourkela district, S Saini, said extra police personnel were sent to the spot.