Thuamul Rampur: Opposition to bauxite mining at Khandual Mali in the Karlapat area of Kalahandi district’s Thuamul Rampur block is intensifying, with more local residents joining the movement to protect their land and hills.
As part of the ongoing protest, the ‘Khandual Mali Sthayi Suraksha Samiti’, Kalahandi, and ‘Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Samiti’, Rayagada-Kalahandi, held a protest rally followed by a meeting Sunday at Amthaguda under Karlapat gram panchayat.
A meeting had earlier been held on the issue. At the second gathering, “organised against Vedanta, BALCO and Maitri companies, protesters strongly demanded the immediate cancellation of the mining lease granted for Khandual Mali”. The protesters warned that the agitation would be intensified in the coming days if their demand was not fulfilled.
According to reports, Karlapat sarpanch Biswanath Majhi, former sarpanch Rama Majhi, ‘Khandual Mali Sthayi Suraksha Samiti’ president Kartik Majhi, former Nakurundi samiti member Sanu Majhi and Talampada’s Maa Mati Suraksha Manch president Lai Majhi were among those present at the meeting, along with other local leaders, activists and residents.
More than 300 people from around 20 villages reportedly participated in the programme.
Following the gathering demanding cancellation of the mining lease, all eyes are now on the course the local residents’ agitation against bauxite mining at Khandual Mali will take in the coming days.
PNN