Odisha tribal outfits threaten agitation in undivided Koraput

Reported by Ranjan Rath
Koraput, Jan 31:

Fourteen tribal organisations of Odisha have threatened to go a sit-in dharna if their demands are not fulfilled by the administration.

The leaders of these organisations from areas such as Semiliguda, Patangi, Nandapur, Koraput, Sunabeda Municipality and Koraput Municipality are fighting to protect the rights of the neglected, downtrodden and displaced tribals in undivided Koraput district.

“We will take out a march and submit a 19 point memorandum to the government. More will follow,” said a leader of Koraput Jana Suraksha Samiti.

Convenor of Lokshakti Abhiyan Prafulla Samantray, Convenor of Niyamgiri Protection Committee Lingaraj Azad and National executive member of NAPM Kalyani Anand also joined in to support the cause of tribal organisations to get their due rights in the first phase.

“The government and the administration will soon get to know the courage seen among the tribal protestors after the arrival of the new leaders. It certainly will create an impact on the administration when members of all 14 organisations come to the streets along with the social activists,” said an executive of the new tribal alliance.

The new federation accused Hindalco of creating disharmony among villages around Mali temple and pointed out to the situation of tribals displaced by NALCO, HAL, Kolab Project, Machhakunda Project, Amphavalli Cement factory etc.

“We will intensify our protests if the mining leases of Sterilite from Dangdeula, China Clay from Hata Suku, Bauxite from Serubandh, Bauxite from Deomali and minerals from Saju Kodi are not cancelled. Most importantly, the Land Acquisition Ordinance has diluted the powers of the village committee which hurts the tribals and the farmers the most. It needs to be scrapped immediately,” said a group of tribal leaders.

“We have a lot of demands. However, our next action plan will depend upon the approach the state government and district administration takes to solve them,” said Balaram Khara of Jana Suraksha Sangha, Damburudhar Khila of Deomali Suraksha Samiti, Bhagban Galori of Seru Dam Protection Committee, Trilochan Muduli of Association of HAL Displaced, Subash Gangbei of Amphavalli Bikash Parishad and other executives.