Surat: Hazira ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS) has been accused by a local resident of expropriating land without paying enough money. A police complaint in this regard has been lodged at Hazira police station. At the same time, the plaintiff has threatened to stop the work of the company if no compensation is received.
Manoj Jeram Ahir, 32, of Hazira’s Nishan Phalia, has lodged a complaint with the police against ArcelorMittal. In his complaint, Ahir alleged that ArcelorMittal, formerly known as Essar, had bought land from his father Jeram Nanabhai Ahir in 2005 after officials offered him jobs, more money and less money if he went for land acquisition. 90 per cent of the amount was paid by the company at the time. The latter promised 10 per cent amount and job, but that promise has not been kept till Azadin. Company officials have alleged that the land was fraudulently confiscated. Ahir further said that despite repeated representations to the company, only reassurance has been received. I demand that the company give me a job, 10 percent return. If not, the company will be shut down.
A recent human rights complaint was filed against the company
Let me tell you that some time ago, 100 families of Gundardi Maholla in Hazira area had lodged a complaint against the company with the Human Rights Commission. The land is being illegally occupied by the company. Deepak Patel, convener of the Hazira Kantha Area Industrial Pollution Prevention Committee, alleged that the company had approached brokers to buy land for the expansion of the plant, which was threatening the slum dwellers. At the time, locals complained to the National Human Rights Commission about human rights abuses and demanded a high-level investigation. Locals complained that the company wanted to evacuate people seeking cheap huts. The company pays the amount of pipe huts and raw huts. He complained that he could not even open a room in front of him.
