Lanjigarh: Hundreds of people belonging to Dongria Kondh and Jharania tribal communities living at the foothills of Niyamgiri in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts Tuesday assembled at Jagannathpur here to protest a Central report which stated that they have links with Maoists.
The tribals along with some local residents under the banner of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti flayed a 2016-17 annual report prepared by the Union home ministry that linked them with left wing extremists.
Resentment brewed in Niyamgiri region following the publication of the report, it was learnt.
While the innocent tribals have been fighting peacefully since 2003 for the safety of their culture, tradition, language, water, land, forest and religious sentiments, the government is trying to dub them as Maoists, said the leaders present at the protest rally, breathing fire against the Centre.
“Our ideology is completely different from that of the Maoists. The samiti won’t be afraid of the Centre’s conspiracy and would continue to resist the eviction policy of the government in the name of development,” said the outfit’s president Kumuti Majhi at the meeting.
The tribals, after the meeting, took out a rally holding traditional weapons and beating drums. The protesters raised slogans against the Union government.
“We won’t allow anyone to touch Niyamgiri till we’re alive,” the tribals said, adding, they never resorted to the path of violence.
In the wake of the rally, three platoons of police were deployed in the surrounds of Vedanta’s plant which prevented the group at the main gate. Several top police officers were present near the gate. Lad Sikka, Dadhi Pusika, Dreng Jakashika, Lingaraj Azad and others led the rally.
On the other hand, several organisation including Orissa Rajya Krushak Sangathan, Lok Shakti Abhiyan, Lok Sangram Manch, Lower Suktel Bisthapan Birodi Manch, National People’s Movement and Green Kalahandi also joined the rally in solidarity with the Dongrias, it was learnt.
