#SijimaliMatters Update # 7. An update on the status of the struggle by the local communities against Vedanta’s bauxite mining project at Sijimali, Odisha.
Groundxero | 16th February, 2024
Vedanta Limited’s proposed bauxite mining project at Sijimali in Odisha’s Rayagada district is being intensely opposed by local Adivasi and Dalit villagers who have voiced concerns over their eviction and possible adverse impact of the mining project on their livelihoods and local ecology.
On March 1, 2023, Vedanta Limited was declared as preferred bidder and allocated Sijimali block with an estimated reserves of 311 million tonnes of bauxite. Vedanta has proposed mining of 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of bauxite in 1549.02 hectare in Sijimali. Since the mining area is spread over villages in districts classified under Schedule V in the Constitution due to the preponderance of the Adivasi population, the consent of the entire adult population of these villages through Gram Sabhas is mandatory before exploiting their natural resources.
The Sijimali mining project is likely to displace 100 families from 18 villages and also affect the livelihoods of an additional 500 families. Apart from environmental clearance for the project, Vedanta will have to secure forest clearance too since the mining lease area includes 699.7 hectares of forest land. Also, there are two villages affected by the project that fall within the notified eco-sensitive zone of the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Groundxero is bringing to you a regular update by activists on the status of the struggle by the local communities against the mining project at Sijimali.
#SijimaliMatters Update # 7
February 16, 2024
We bring to you an update of celebrations held on Republic Day as people vowed their allegiance to the Constitution and to their lands and mountains. And Tijimali is getting ready for the much awaited Tijimali festival that will take place on March 5.
The mass organization has named itself Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Manch (Tijimali-Kuturumali-Manjhingmali) and is making village-level committees.
Yet, the overall situation is grim. There is more police presence and fresh charges against the main activists of the movement following an incident on January 12, 2024. There is also mobilization. Villagers marched en masse to the Kashipur police station to bring back their leaders, who had been picked up by the Odisha Police after this incident.
People Resist Company Officials’ Entry to Kuturumali
On 22 December, 2023, a vehicle was stopped on its way up to Kuturumali by villagers. It carried some engineers who said that they were going up to take measurements. Members of Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Manch present said categorically that they should go back as the Tijimali movement is on and the process of conducting gram sabhas as mandated by Schedule 5 of the Constitution is yet to take place in this region also. The engineers were made to give a promise in writing that they would not attempt to come again without the express permission of the people.
Mass Meeting in Bhubaneswar
On December 29, a huge mass meeting was organized by the Bisthapan Birodhi Jan Andolan Manch in Bhubaneswar. It had the participation of people’s movements opposed to widespread displacement and dispossession caused by the corporate plunder of natural resources as well as the imposition of fabricated cases on those who struggle for the protection of their land, mountains and forests. Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Manch (Raygada-Kalahandi) participated along with Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti (Raygada-Kalahandi); Mali Parbat Surakhya Samiti (Koraput); Jindal-POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (Jagatsingpur); Malkangiri Zila Adibasi Sangha (Koraput); and Jeevan, Jivika O Paribesh Surakhya Samiti (Puri). A memorandum was presented to the Governor of Odisha demanding the protection of people living in Schedule V areas; release of all political prisoners from mass movements and withdrawal of existing criminal cases; and protection of the coastal forests and sand dunes that act as a natural barrier in the cyclone-prone districts of coastal Odisha.
Press Conference
On 4th January, a nine-member team of the Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Manch addressed the press at Berhampur in Ganjam district supported by local activists. On 8th December, 2023, an attempt was made by the district administration and the company to conduct gram sabhas without any prior notice. Whereas some sections of the press reported that the 10 gram sabhas were successful, the team informed members of the press present that the held gram sabhas were fake and in complete violation of legal and constitutional requirements as it wasforced upon them with the presence of police and company officials. On that day, villagers from across the region held strong protests at Kantamal, Sagbari, Aliguna, Bandel, Banteji (Pelanakona) and Sunger (Katibhatta) against these coerced and fake gram sabhas. Villagers were hired from nearby places to pretend to be local people.
A woman from Bandel village was offered Rs 1000/- to pose for a photograph with the women who were brought from outside. She spoke about how she rejected it outright. The team announced that they are now organizing genuine gram sabhas as per the due process mandated legally. Four gram sabhas were already conducted adhering to the constitutional and traditional mandate within the community. Over a dozen Odia newspapers and a few channels reported the press conference.
Memorandum to the RDC
The team also presented an appeal to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (South Division) in Berhampur.
It stated that the presence of police, company officials and company agents to coerce villagers is gross violation of the independence of a core democratic institution, the Gram Sabha, and the freedom of the people to voice their opinions without fear. These hills are not only a source of their basic food and sustenance but also an integral part of their identity and cultural heritage and the abode of their deities too. The appeal also stated that the people have written to all authorities in the panchayat and district and state administration as well as to the President of India stating that the district administration cannot call for any gram sabha until and unless the mining plans for Tijimali, Majhingimali and Kutrumali are cancelled.
Incident of January 12
Police have been deployed in large numbers, ever since January 12 when Mr. Prusty Duria, PRO of Mythri Infrastructure Limited (subcontracted by Vedanta Ltd) and two others were attacked by a group of people. According to the FIR, there were 25-30 people on two wheelers who came armed with stones and other deadly weapons. Mr. Duria received deep injuries on his head and was bleeding. The attackers also snatched away one mobile phone, a gold chain estimated to be approximately Rs 100000, and cash of Rs 80000. They damaged the Bolero. The FIR named 28 villagers from Sarambai, Bantej, Talaampadar, Kantamal, Bundel and other villages. The charges are under sections 147/148/341/323/324/307/294/427/395/506/149 IPC. All named in the FIR are community leaders and village leaders active in the movement against bauxite mining and were working hard in the process of organizing village-level committees for implementation of Forest Rights Act. Families of those named are keen that an investigation is done to reveal the facts of the case. Or else, they fear the entire incident was staged deliberately to foist fabricated cases on people since they were active in protecting Tijimali from bauxite mining.
Police Persecution Intensifies
At night, a large contingent of police without any women police personnel police entered the houses of activists, namely Tankadhar Naik in Bantej and Bhakta Das and Lai Majhi in Talaampadar. During the search, houses were ransacked, pooja areas were desecrated, women and children were threatened. There was no show of identification, warrants or papers explaining the purpose of the raid.
Since then, villagers of Talaampadar, have reported that their kandula (arhar dal) fields have been raided by company agents from neighbouring villages. Women and men are now staying up in their hill fields to protect the crops. In their opinion, the company and the police are keener on conducting such raids instead of probing into the crime that has actually taken place.
Community leaders Hinda Majhi and Kantilal Naik from Lakris were picked up by the police on January 17 and 18, respectively. Both were picked up from the market place. They were told that they have been seen addressing meetings and mobilising people in the andolan. The police openly acted as the spokesman of the company in asking them to talk to the company for whatever they wanted. Kantilal Naik replied that he is ready to be hanged, if need be and that he has no greed for his life, but they should give in writing that Tijimali will be forever protected.
Large groups of villagers went to the police station demanding their release and they came out. Villagers have resolved to spread the word immediately if someone is picked up by the police and to all gather at the police station and demand the person’s release.
Republic Day
Despite the grim situation, people celebrated Republic Day in Tijimali, Kutrumali and Majhingmali. They pledged their allegiance to the Constitution and to the land, hills and streams that they will forever protect.
An open letter was sent to the President of India Droupadi Murmu stating that the people of the region have the courage and confidence to write to her because she is from Odisha and also understands Odia. It expresses pride that an Adivasi from among them is the Constitutional head of this country. The letter queries “Is it not most unjust that without our consent and without abiding by the laws of the land, our lands, hills, rivers and streams have been sold off to the company? Does it become a crime to protest against this injustice? We believe that our ancestors Birsa Munda, Laxman Naik and Rendo Majhi would have protested this injustice, if they were amongst us today.” It also asks: “Since the last six or seven months, we are experiencing how the laws of the land, constitutional guarantees, and institutions are there to support the companies, and not for ordinary citizens like us. Even political parties of the region have declared their open support for the companies. When we raise our voices for the protection of our land, hills and streams, the custodians of law criminalize us. So, what do we do and where do we go?”
February 9 in Kantamal
A huge meeting took place on February 9 at village Kantamal to begin the process of making a committee. The day began with much rejoicing as Upendra Bag and Krushna Sikaka of Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti (NSS) who were released on bail stopped at Kantamal on their way to Niyamgiri.
They were greeted by Kantamal villagers amidst much joy and celebration. Inspiring slogans rent the air as people reiterated their resolve to protect the mountains and the forests. The NSS members shared how they met those arrested from Tijimali within a few days of being in prison. Speakers said they are ready to make any kind of sacrifice and face trials and hardships as they are determined to carry on the struggle, A call for the unity of the entire region was made several times. Later in the day, there was a long discussion on planning committees as well as to plan the much awaited Tijimali festival, scheduled for March 5.
VEDANTA GO BACK !
HANDS OFF TIJIMALI !!