Post News Network
Rourkela, Jan 9: Even as residents here are up in arms against the government’s purported move to lease out Khandadhar hills for mining purpose, Lokshakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Samantara and Biramitrapur MLA George Tirkey sharply condemned the attitude of the government.
Residents under the banner of Khandadhar Suraksha Samiti warned that they would sacrifice their lives for protection of the hills.
They threatened to stage a three-day protest and hunger strike if the government does not come up with a clear view on leasing out the hills to South Korean steel giant Posco.
Coming down heavily on the government, Samantara told media that the government is trying to destroy the ecological balance of the hills that is surrounded by dense forests and perennial streams. He said the residents will never let government’s conspiracy be materialised. He added that demonstrations and protest meetings will be conducted in the area from January 26 to 28. He will also stage a hunger strike in the period. Social activists Medha Patkar, Rajendra Singh and Dayanidhi Barla from Jharkhand will join the protest rallies.
Mining activities in Khandadhar will not only affect the environment, it will also ruin the livelihood of Paudi Bhuyan community. Mining activities will also hurt religious sentiment of tribals who regard the hills as an adobe of goddess Kantadevi.
Tirkey pointed out that the government is trying to lease out the hills without conducting gram sabhas. They also flout environmental norms. The hills that are one of the major attractions of the state may be erased from the tourism map, he rued. The government should ban mining activities in 25 km radius surrounding the hills, added Tirkey.
Sangram Samiti supporters Jhara, Bilua and Kalia Dehury said their outfit has been fighting for protection of hills for last 10 years. They will never allow mining activities on the hills till their last breath.
