Rayagada: Prominent environmentalist Medha Patkar was reportedly detained by police at Rayagada Railway Station today ahead of her participation in a public meeting at Hatpada under Kashipur block of Odisha's Rayagada district, where a World Environment Day event was scheduled.

As per reports, the event was being organised as a platform to voice opposition against mining activities at the Sijimali mines. Patkar, a well-known face of grassroots environmental movements in India, was expected to attend the gathering and extend her support to local resistance against the mining operations.

However, before she could reach the venue, police reportedly detained her and attempted to dissuade her from participating in the meeting.

She was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik questioned the detention of Patkar, terming the incident as an 'assault on the spirit of democracy'.

"It is deeply unfortunate that environmentalist Medha Patkar was detained by Rayagada police today, on World Environment Day. She was in Sunger Hatapada under Kashipur block to speak at a protest rally against the Sijimali mining project and to lead a peaceful march. It is an assault on the very spirit of democracy. People who believe in democratic values should reflect seriously on this. Who are the architects behind this decision? In whose interest such a decision has been taken?," Patnaik posted on 'X'.