Controversial Vedanta mining project triggers public outcry and protests in Rayagada
The administration in Odisha's Rayagada district conducted a public hearing for Vedanta Limited's proposed Sijimali bauxite mining project, amidst protests from those opposing it. Over 150 armed police personnel guarded the venue at a school in Sunger under Kashipur block, while hundreds of men and women assembled to participate in the hearing. Although some attendees claimed they were denied entry, the Rayagada district administration asserted that both sides' views were considered and grievances addressed during the meeting.
"There was no law and order situation at the public hearing venue, although several hundred people participated in the meeting. There was some noise at the meeting venue, but many villagers were allowed to speak their minds," said Rayagada collector Swadha D Singh.
While some individuals supported the mining project, others opposed it, and all views were recorded to be sent to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, according to Singh. The public hearing was attended by officials from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Bhubaneswar, district administration officials, and project proponents.
During the hearing, protesters who opposed the project allegedly broke a police barricade and raised slogans. The situation was brought under control by the police.
Anti-displacement activist and advocate Biswapriya Kanungo criticized the public hearing as an "arbitrary procedure," claiming that attendees were in an atmosphere of fear and anxiety, thereby defeating the purpose of the hearing. Another activist, Narendra Mohganty, stated that 21 people have been arrested and sent to jail for opposing the mining project, while over 95 people face charges in "fake" cases for not supporting the project.
The proposed bauxite mining in the Sijimali area is expected to displace 100 families from 18 villages and affect the livelihoods of an additional 500 families. Kanungo highlighted that about 80% of the people to be displaced due to the proposed project are tribals. The mining lease area, where 18 villages are located, falls under Schedule V in the Constitution due to the predominance of the Adivasi population.
Earlier, on Sunday, Maoists had called for a boycott of the public hearing. On October 6, nearly 25,000 people from 24 gram panchayats in Kashipur and Thuamul Rampur blocks held a rally in Kashipur in support of the proposed bauxite mining.