Protests were held across multiple blocks, Sub-divisional offices and in district headquarters spanning 22 districts of Odisha against the alleged repression and transfer of protected land for corporate interests without due processin in the Sijimali region.

Groundxero | April 19, 2026

By Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar

After conducting a fact-finding exercise on the alleged pre-dawn police action in Kantamal village (Kashipur, Rayagada), a delegation comprising SUCI (Communist), CPI(ML), CPI(ML) New Democracy, and CPI(ML) Red Star submitted a memorandum on 13 April 2026, seeking the Governor’s immediate intervention to halt alleged police repression in the Sijimali region, safeguard its natural resources, and ensure the rights of local communities over them. They demanded an immediate halt to land acquisition for mining and other corporate projects in regions such as Mali Parbat (Similiguda), Serubandha (Pottangi), Nageswarimali (Nandapur), Patana (Keonjhar), and Lanjiberna (Sundargarh). The parties raised concerns over allegedly manipulated Gram Sabha proceedings conducted by the same official simultaneously across eight villages on 8 December 2023, as well as the displacement of tribal communities and the threats posed to ecologically sensitive areas.

Large parts of the state witnessed protests

The delegation also announced a statewide protest day on 17 April 2026 against what it described as state repression and the transfer of protected land for corporate interests without due process as mandated under statutory provisions.

Accordingly, protests were held across multiple blocks, Sub-divisional offices and in district headquarters spanning 22 districts of the state. These included: Rayagada (Rayagada, Gunupur); Koraput (Koraput, Pottangi, Baipariguda, Jeypore, Bandhugaon); Sundargarh (Rourkela, Rajgangpur, Bisra, Kutra, Badgaon); Keonjhar (Keonjhar, Patana, Harichandanpur, Hatadihi, Saharpada); Angul (Angul, Kaniha, Kishorenagar, Athmallik, Chhendipada, Talcher); Mayurbhanj (Baripada, Kaptipada, Thakurmunda, Bangiriposi, Bisoi, Jashipur, Raruan); Sambalpur (Rairakhol, Bamra); Balangir (Balangir, Belpada, Khaprakhol); Ganjam (Brahmapur, Bhanjanagar, Polasara, Dharakote); Gajapati (Paralakhemundi); Puri (Puri, Satyabadi, Delanga); Khurda (Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Banapur); Cuttack (Cuttack, Kishorenagar, Barang); Jagatsinghpur (Jagatsinghpur, Naugaon); Kendrapara (Kendrapara, Rajkanika); Bhadrak (Bhadrak, Bhandaripokhari); Balasore (Balasore, Bhograi, Jaleswar); Dhenkanal (Dhenkanal Sadar, Gondia); Bargarh; Subarnapur (Birmaharajpur); Boudh; and Jajpur.

Further, All India Kishan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS) and All India Khet Mazdoor Kishan Sangathan(AIKMKS) popularly known as “Chasi Muliya Sangha” of left parties, also joined the  demonstrations at multiple locations, including Pottangi and Puri.

The widespread participation across more than 64 locations in 22 districts indicates that large parts of the state witnessed protests against the alleged repression in the Sijimali region.

Prof. Swadhin Pattanaik joins protest despite heat wave

Even one of Bhubaneswar’s most eminent citizens, Prof. Swadhin Pattanaik, Founder Director of the Institute of Mathematics, Odisha, chose not to remain silent. Despite being in his eighties and braving a scorching 42°C heat-wave, he, along with his wife, attended the demonstration against the state repression in Sijimali. Their participation—especially given their age and the extreme heat—signals how strongly some citizens feel about the issue and it highlights the strength of public concern over the issue.

The protestors called for an end to state repression in Fifth Schedule areas, an immediate halt to mining activities carried out without the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of the concerned Gram Sabhas, and the unconditional release of activists and tribal community members who have been raising their voices for their rights in democratic process to protect Sijimali by opposing mining projects.

Memoranda submitted

Memoranda were submitted to the Governor of Odisha, Dr. Kambhampati Hari Babu, through local, sub-divisional, divisional, and district authorities, highlighting the following issues:

1. Police Excesses and Incidents of 6–7 April Midnight Raids
2. Allegations of Forged Gram Sabha Proceedings
3. Violation of Fifth Schedule Provisions
4. Non-Compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
5. Violation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA)
6. Filing of False Cases Against Villagers and Leaders
7. Demand for Cancellation of the Proposed Bauxite Mining Projects

The main demands by the left parties before the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha:

1. Order an independent judicial or high-level inquiry into the allegations of police excesses, including the incidents of 6–7 April in Kantamal village and March 10 in Talaampadar village as well as the alleged fabrication of Gram Sabha proceedings.

2. Ensure the immediate cessation of coercive actions by authorities in the region.

3. Review all decisions taken in violation of the Fifth Schedule, FRA, and PESA, and nullify those found unlawful.

4. Direct the withdrawal of false cases filed against innocent villagers and  leaders, and take steps to secure the immediate release of those in judicial custody.

5. Take immediate steps to halt and cancel the proposed bauxite mining project in the Sijimali area.

6. Ensure strict protection of the environment, water sources, and livelihood rights of local communities.

7. Take immediate steps to stop land acquisition and displacement in Patana (Keonjhar) and Lanjiberna (Sundargarh).

8. Ensure prohibition of mining projects in Fifth Schedule areas such as Mali Parbat (Semiliguda), Serubandh (Pottangi), and Nageswari Mali (Nandapur).

9. Cancel the public hearings announced for Kuturumali on May 12 for Adani group.

Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar (Email: educarexpert@gmail.com) is a Human Rights Defender and RTI activist based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Also Read: An Open Letter to the Odisha CM Against Escalating State Repression in Sijimali