A joint delegation of Left parties including CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, CPI(M), and All India Forward Bloc has submitted a memorandum to the Odisha Governor on April 13, exposing systematic police repression on Adivasis and villagers resisting the Sijimali Bauxite Mining Project in Rayagada district.
The Left parties stated that the mining project is being forcibly pushed in blatant violation of constitutional safeguards under the Fifth Schedule, the PESA Act 1996 and the Forest Rights Act 2006. They said that the Adivasi and Dalit villagers of the region have been waging a sustained democratic struggle to defend their land, forests, livelihood and culture, but are being met with state repression.
The memorandum points out that key forest and environmental clearances for the project are still pending, yet road construction and mining-related activities have been pushed forward. It said that Gram Sabha consent, which is mandatory as per law and affirmed by the Supreme Court in the Niyamgiri judgment, has been bypassed.
Detailing the escalation of repression, the memorandum states that between 26 and 28 February, hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel conducted coordinated operations in several villages and pasted arrest notices at the homes of movement leaders. On 10 March, a midnight police raid in Tala Ampadar village led to the arrest of 21 persons, including women and a pregnant woman, with houses forcibly broken into.
On 3 April, prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS and Section 144 were imposed to suppress resistance. Between 4 and 6 April, villagers continued their peaceful protests. In the night of 6 April and early morning of 7 April, police entered Kantamal village, cut electricity supply, used tear gas and carried out lathi charge. Several villagers, including women, were injured and prevented from accessing medical care. One cow died in the attack. Heavy deployment of armed police, vehicles and drones continues across the region.
The Left parties said that hundreds of false cases have been slapped on villagers and activists, with many arrested and lodged in jail. This campaign of intimidation is aimed at crushing the people’s movement and facilitating corporate plunder.
Raising serious concerns, the memorandum points out that public hearings were conducted under conditions of intimidation and that Gram Sabha processes have been manipulated, with the matter now before the courts. Despite this, the administration continues to push the project.
The delegation has demanded immediate withdrawal of prohibitory orders, removal of police forces and drone surveillance, and complete cancellation of the Sijimali mining project. It has called for a high-level, independent inquiry into the 7 April police action and strict action against responsible officials.
The Left parties have also demanded withdrawal of all false cases, unconditional release of arrested villagers and activists, and full implementation of PESA, FRA and land acquisition laws to protect Adivasi rights. They have stressed that Gram Sabhas must be conducted freely, without fear or coercion, and that no forced land acquisition or displacement will be accepted.
The Left parties have warned that the ongoing repression and attempts to impose the mining project will be met with intensified resistance. They asserted that the people of the region will continue their struggle and defeat all attempts to hand over their resources to corporate interests.
