The tribals strongly objected to Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining project on the Niyamgiri Hills at the first gram sabha held at Serkapadi village under Muniguda block in Rayagada district on Thursday.
The Dongaria Kondh tribal people of Niyamgiri rejected an inter-departmental inquiry report that showed the land used by the villagers of Sherkapadi. They said that they worshipped the entire hill range as “Niyamraja”.
The meeting also highlighted government’s apathy to the area. The tribals said that the proposed mining can be carried out at Niyamgiri at the cost of their blood.
The first of the 12 gram sabhas was held yesterday to decide the fate of mining project in Niyamgiri hills. As many as 36 villagers including 16 women were present at the meeting. All objected to the mining bringing no cheer for Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. The next gram sabhas will be held at six villages in Rayagada district and five villages in Kalahandi district between July 18 and August 19.
