Vedanta’s Mining Issue: Local residents of Kalahandi District nearer to Sijimali Mine which is given to Vedanta Company are furious against the Company. It has been alleged that a Maitri Company who is a transport company of Vedanta is forcing to local tribals to acquire Sijimali Mine for Vedanta. If it is not stopped, thousands of tribals have threatened to hold a rally from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar for about 400 km in the coming days.
A few days ago, a press conference was held in Bhawanipatna, nearer to Vedanta Lanjigarh Company and this warning was given by “Maa, Mati, Mali Surakhsya Mancha” (Mother, Soil, Mali Protection Forum). The president of this organization Mr. Subash Singh Majhi said, “Vedanta company wants to acquire the mine by threatening innocent tribals.” They are being harassed by filing false cases in the name of various tribal leaders. One of them Karthik Naik, has been arrested and put in jail. Mr. Majhi warned that there will be a big movement forming against the Vedanta Company.
In this press conference, it was informed that the signatures of the people were taken through fake Gram Sabhas by manipulating the Vedanta Company administration. It is said that local people have given permission to change the Kisam of Sijimal forest land. That is completely false, fourm said. The Gram Sabha was held instead of taking the people from the Sijimal area they were replacing them with outsiders. Their photo was taken and took sign for approval of Mine. But the forum alleged that it was a fake Gram Sabha. The forum said in this press conference that there will be a strong protest against this type of misleading people.
Other members of the forum also opposed Vedanta’s arbitrary rule. They said, we will never give Sijimali Mine to Vedanta Company. A demand letter also has been given to the state government on behalf of the forum. It has been demanded that the state government should immediately intervene and understand the plight of the innocent tribals. If no one listens, a protest march against Vedanta Company to held from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar (400 km) has been threatened. However, no response was received from Vedanta or Maitri Company regarding this.
