Tribals in Odisha’s Kalinganagar observe ‘Martyrs’ Day’

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kalinganagar, Jan 2:

Around 1,500 tribals and members of different peoples’ organizations organised a rally at Kalinganagar in Odisha’s Jajpur district today to observe ‘Shahid Divas’ (Martyrs’ Day) on the ninth anniversary of the police firing on this day in 2006, which killed 14 tribals.

File Pic Courtesy: downtoearth.org.in
File Pic Courtesy: downtoearth.org.in

Among them were family members of the 14 tribals killed while protesting against Tata’ s steel project.

Tribals under the banner of Bisthapan Birodhi Janamanch (BBJM) led by Ravindra Jarika and Amar Singh Banara marched their way in a rally from the “Martyrs’ Column” in Champakoila village to Veerbhumi at Ambagadia where the victims were cremated nine years ago.

Tribals paid tributes to the tribal “martyrs”.

Earlier in the day, family members and relatives of the victims of police firing offered flowers and oil in a ritual called diridulsunum.

“We will continue with our struggle for our rights over Jala, Jungle Jami (Water, Forest and Land)”, said a participant who led the rally.

Heavy police arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. ASP Kalinganagar is directly keeping a watch over the situation. Six platoons of policemen have been deployed in the area and two magistrates – tehsildars of Sukinda and Danagadi – are in attendance in the area to maintain law and order.

The BBJM had earlier claimed that it was expecting a gathering of around 5,000 tribals today. But inclement weather has played spoilsport. However, the gathering may swell up as the weather has improved since morning.

It may be recalled here that on January 2, 2006 the police opened fire on a protest by local tribals against the takeover and seizure of their land by a Tata Steel plant. Ten people died on the spot while four more died in the hospital. A police constable was also killed in the clash.

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