Congress Demands Inquiry into Tribal Protests Against Bauxite Mining in Odisha

Congress Criticizes Government Over Tribal Unrest

New Delhi/Thuamul Rampur: On Tuesday, the Congress party criticized the central government regarding the protests by tribal communities against a bauxite mining initiative in Odisha's Sijimali region, calling for an independent investigation into the situation.

The party urged the administration to ensure the effective implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary responsible for communications, highlighted that Odisha has a history of public demonstrations by tribal and other groups when mining operations threaten ecological balance and circumvent legal protections.

Ramesh remarked on social media, "The latest troubling incident involves a bauxite mining project and its related infrastructure in the Sijimali area, spanning Rayagada and Kalahandi districts."

He pointed out that there seem to be significant breaches of the PESA and Forest Rights Act, claiming that the rights of affected individuals and local communities, as well as local governance bodies like Gram Sabhas, have been undermined.

He alleged that when protests erupted recently, law enforcement responded with excessive force, particularly targeting Scheduled Tribe members, including women, which he stated contravenes the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Ramesh noted that this situation arises in a state where the chief minister belongs to a tribal background.

He further stated, "The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, also hails from Odisha. He must show more empathy and initiate an independent inquiry into the unrest at Sijimali, ensuring that PESA and FRA are implemented transparently and participatively."

The Congress party, along with Leftist factions, condemned the Odisha government for its alleged harsh treatment of tribal protesters opposing the bauxite mining project in Sijimali, claiming that the PESA and Forest Rights Acts are being violated to benefit a private corporation.

Earlier this month, fact-finding teams from the Congress, BJP, and Left parties visited the Kashipur block in Rayagada district, where a clash occurred on April 7 between tribal members and security forces over road construction leading to the Sijimali bauxite mine, which has been allocated to a private entity.

The confrontation resulted in injuries to approximately 60 police officers and over 10 villagers.