Lanjigarh: Hundreds of people in Kalahandi district under the banner of Niyamagiri Suraksha Samiti took out processions Sunday to rally people against mining activities on Niyamagiri hills.
Coming down heavily on the government, Loda Sikaka, a member of the Samiti, said the government has unleashed a reign of terror on the foothills of Niyamagiri by deploying platoons of paramilitary forces and other special operation groups. CRPF and SOG jawans, instead of checking Maoist activities and providing security to inhabitants, kill poor tribals under the cover of encounters. They misbehave with tribal women, loot their houses, domestic animals and poultries; lodge false cases against innocent people by branding them Maoists.
The most worrying factor is that the government is conspiring to snatch the livelihood of tribals by leasing out the hills to Vedanta for bauxite mining.
The procession aimed at gaining public support against alleged anti-tribal activities of the government.
It also aimed at urging the government to ensure sustainable development of the region while keeping the ecology intact.
The fighting is not limited to this specific region. It is a struggle of the humanity to protect nature and civilisation, Dadhi Pusika, another member of the Samiti, said.
While one procession started from Biswanathpur under the block, the other started from Chatikana.
The rally that started from Biswanathpur was led by Rashtriya Mahasachib of Samajwadi Janparishad, Lingaraj Azad. Another rally that started from Chatikana was led by Satya Mahar, a senior member of the Suraksha Samiti.
The rallies will cover areas like Kurli, Khambesi, Kunakadi, Lakhapadar, Lamba, Dangamati, Tadijhola and Palaberi.
The week-long rallies would culminate June 5 on the World Environment Day. A huge convention will mark the end of the rallies, said Samiti president Kumuti Majhi.
Among others, Haribandhu Kardaka, Loda Sikaka, Lingaraj Azad and Padmanabh Choudhury led the protest rallies.
PNN
