Semiliguda: Members of at least 28 SC/ST outfits, who were displaced by the MiG factory of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Wednesday staged protests against a High Court order that recently asked the administration to vacate HAL land from people’s possession in 45 days.
The rally was held near Pangiguda village of ward-19 of Sunabeda municipality in Koraput district. The oustees had filed a petition in HC in 2014 against the displacement which was heard January 11, 2018.
A division bench, hearing the case, directed Trilochan Muduli, president of HAL Bisthapita Sangh, an outfit of the displaced people, to vacate the land of HAL which is under the possession of people within 45 days.
The court also asked the collector and the SP to execute the order.
Armed with traditional weapons, people of nearly 22 villages assembled to protest the court order.
Demanding the return of their ancestors’ land, the protestors said they were ready to pick up arms to fight with HAL authorities.
Mali Parvat Surakhya Samiti president Dasarath Khil, Suru Bandh Surakhya Samiti president Padman Galori, Kotimati Surakhya Samiti president Khilap Hunjia and Upper Kolab Budi Anchal Bisthapita Sangh president Rabi Gamang were among the leaders who led the rally.
“We are prepared to shed blood for the protection of our forefathers’ lands,” said a tribal leader.
According to the protestors, more than 10,000 people live in 22 villages while the company has offered houses to only 80 families, that too inside a forest near Mohanpada in the name of rehabilitation. The company managed to obtain an order to oust thousands of residents by misleading the court.
The protesters threatened to boycott coming General Elections if their cases are not discussed in the Assembly and Parliament. They would also oppose the visits of politicians to the area during electioneering. PNN
