Just before the visit of Dr. N.C. Saxsena committe formed by the Ministry of Enviornment and Forest to assess the impact of mining by Vedant company, the police and administration began terrorising the local tribals. The above five membered sommittee is supposed to visit the Dangaria/Dongria tribal hamlets adjecient to the mining area between 7th-9th July. But before their arrival to make a panic among the tribals the Kalahandi police along with company goons raided different villages and demolished the Niyamraja, the sacred deity of Dongria’s which was situated on the hill top of Niyamgiri mountain. On 1st July more than 40 armed CRPF personal along with the Lanjigarh police and some Vedanta agent like Jitu Jakasika entered in to the Lakpadar village of Parsali G.P of Kalyansingpur block of Rayagada district about 11 am and threatening them not to go against the company, because the Govt. has already given the Niyamagiri mountain to Vedant. If they dare to oppose the mining then the leaders will be booked in Maoist cases. Due to hectic agricultural activities these days, majority of people particularly the man folk were not present at that time. Then the police beaten up one Sani Sikkaka (35 yrs) and misbehaved the women of that village. Similar things were repeated in villages Dangamati and Garta village.
On behalf of CPI(ML) New Democracy Orissa state committee we condem this inhuman and undemocratic act of Kalahandi police in the interest of a private company, Vedant to supress the Dongria tribals so that they cannot voice their dissent in front of the N.C. Saxsena committee. We appeal the committe members to take note of this incidence and give fair chance to Dangria people to express their dissent.
Bhala chandra Shadangi
Spokesperson, Orissa state committee
CPI(ML) New Democracy
