#SijimaliMatters Update # 6
December 21, 2023
We bring to you an update of the Gram (Palli) Sabha meetings held in the Sijimali region on 8 December by the local administration in the presence of company officials and armed police and people’s protest and the Shaheed Rendo Majhi Diwas event in Nakrundi Gram Panchayat in Kalahandi.
Protests against Coerced Palli Sabhas: On 8th December 2023, hundreds of armed police personnel were deployed in the Sijimali area to forcibly wrest consent from villagers for forest land diversion for the bauxite mining project of Vedanta. There was stiff resistance in Kantamal, Sagabari, Aliguna and Malipadar villages against the engineered gram sabhas. The very next day, regional media outlets flashed news of the ten villages where gram sabhas were “successful”. A visit to the area revealed how both Pelanakonal and Katibhata named in press reports have no people in it. These villages fall under the mouza of Bantej village whose residents used to live there years back. In Kantamal, the administration could not even enter because the entire village sat in protest in the village square. So, a flex banner was put on the road leading to the village and a photograph taken as proof of the Palli sabha meeting. In Sagabari, there was a major confrontation between villagers and officials of Vedanta and Mythri while the BDO tried in vain to quell the situation. Apparently, the company had made a pact with the Sarpanch to remain in hiding and so he was not present. When the CEO of Maithri Srinivas Rao and Executive Director Satyanarayan threatened the villagers with police violence, the villagers unitedly drove them all out of the village.
It is to be noted that the presence of officials from Vedanta and its contractor company Mythri and hired company agents was a gross violation of the independence of the core democratic institution, the Gram Sabha, and the freedom of the people to voice their opinions without fear. This was in complete violation of the constitutional values guaranteed under Schedule V of the Indian Constitution and a violation of both PESA and FRA.
As news of the coerced gram sabhas spread, many others expressed protest. On December 10, the 75th anniversary of the United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, trade unions, adivasi organizations and democratic rights organizations and other progressive forces across Odisha issued a statement condemning the sham of palli sabhas held in the Tijimali region. This joint statement expressed outrage and concern over the violation of the rights of the Adivasis and Dalits of Tijimali hills; demanded the proper implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006; and called upon the Odisha Government to cancel the mining lease granted to Vedanta Limited.
In the meantime, villagers are organizing their own gram sabhas in these villages by due process and registering protest in condemning the fake gram sabhas. To express the collective will of the people to protect their land and mountains and demand the proper implementation of the FRA and PESA, they plan to meet the Collector and BDO and share the resolutions of these gram sabha meetings.
Shaheed Rendo Majhi Diwas: Despite the mayhem caused by the administration and company, there was a huge public meeting on 10 December in Nakrundi Panchayat to observe the Shaheed Rendo Majhi Diwas. The historical Kandha uprising led by Rendo Majhi to claim cultural and political autonomy of the adivasi community is the source of inspiration and courage to all struggling people until today. In 1853, Rendo Majhi was imprisoned. In order to terrorize those in rebellion, the British police shackled his hands, legs and waist in iron chains and paraded him across the Kandha region. Instead of being intimidated, the rebels attacked the camp in Urladani in Rampur block of Kalahandi district on 10 December 1855. The British forces killed 100 Kandha rebels. And Rendo Majhi was also killed in his captive state by Lt Macneill. Therefore, 10 December is commemorated every year to evoke the spirit of struggle and sacrifice to protect adivasi land and autonomy.
The public meeting was hosted by Kantilal from Larkish and presided by Buda Majhi from Nakrundi. The chief guest was the well-known veteran activist Suresh Sangram. Among those present were Jaleswar Naik and Kartik Naik from Ma Maati Maali Surakhya Manch; Karthik Majhi, President of Khandualmali Sthayi Surakhya Samiti; British Kumar, Secretary, Khandualamali Sthayi Surakhya Samiti; Rama Majhi from Karlapat; Rajkishore Sunani, Cultural Activist, Kalahandi; Tilotomma Naik, Ward Member from Sepeskonda village of Nakrundi; Kuni Majhi from Khandualamali; and Shanti Majhi from Majinghimali.
Speakers pledged to carry on the fight against mining and condemned the fake gram sabhas held on December 8 without any prior notice. Ward Member Tilotamma Naik gave a rousing call to protect all the maalis and condemned the role of company agents working in clandestine manner to make villagers agree to bauxite mining. She warned those being approached by company agents to accept cash and urged all to keep their unity intact. Shanti Majhi recollected having a chat with the Tehsildar who was trying to convince her to give up the protest against road construction up to Manjinghimali . She told him that he wasn’t really part of the ‘Odisha Sarkar’ if he wasn’t with the people. She said, “Amo gaon re Aame hi Sarkar (In our village, we ourselves are the Sarkar).”
Protest against Kerpai Gram Sabha: In the meantime, Kerpai Panchayat received a notice for a Gram Sabha to be held on 20 December to discuss the Gram Panchayat Development Plan for the year 2024-2025. Villagers claimed it was another fake attempt after what they witnessed on 8 December in eight villages of Sunger Panchayat of Kashipur block (Kantamal, Bandel, Katibhatta, Pelonakona, Aliguna, Sagabari, Dumerpadar and Malipadar) and two villages of Talaampadar Panchayat of Thuamal Rampur block (Chulibadi and Akhilamali). According to them, it is yet another ploy for the company and administration to gather villagers in their support to obtain consent for diversion of forest land. This time, villagers gave a written letter to the panchayat authorities categorically stating that they cannot call for any gram sabha until and unless the mining plans for Tijimali, Majhingimali and Kuturumali are cancelled.
SAY NO TO BAUXITE MINING !
KEEP THE BAUXITE IN THE GROUND !!
Contact Email ID: sijimalimatters@gmail.com