Tribals, Dalits, and farmers in various parts of Odisha have been continuing their struggle peacefully to protect their life and livelihood : land and forest. Because various companies and the government are trying to snatch away their livelihood so such a struggle has become necessary for them.
During the previous BJD government, at those areas a parallel group of “company supporters” was created after labelling the villagers who were fighting for their rights as “company opponents”.
At the behest of those “pro-company” members, the villagers who were fighting for their livelihood were arrested, kidnapped, lathi-charged, and even shot. ‘GASS’ has always condemned such anti-people and unconstitutional violent actions of the previous government.
In the last assembly election, the people responded to the repressive attitude and anti-people policies of the previous government and brought a change in power.
According to reports published in various newspapers, on February 10, 2025, the people of Sijimali area under Kashipur-Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district had come out in a rally and gave their demands before the state government through the District Collector, situated at Bhawanipatna
They reiterated their demand that the state government should accept Gramsabha – village council – resolution held between August 30 and September 4, 2024. They are demanding that resolution of Public hearing should be made public and they should be provided with forest land patta under forest rights act.
We, on behalf of ‘GASS’, had earlier informed the government that this was their just right. Instead of respecting their just demands, the present government is choosing the path of repression.
Several local villagers have been arrested on complaint of an employee of Mythri Infra Company. Since August 2023 more than thirty people have been arrested, four youths are still in jail.
Recently, another meeting was held in Bhavnipatna on February 15, 2025, to press the demand for establishing the Mythri Infra Company – lease-holder of Vedanta Company in the Sijimali area. According to local media reports, although attendees carried posters demanding the company’s establishment, they primarily voiced their own demands, including roads to the village, housing for the homeless, and assistance to self-help groups. The media confirmed that this meeting was organized by the company in response to the previous meeting held by the villagers on February 10, 2025.
In the past, it has been observed that large rallies have been organized in various districts in support of the company, only to be followed by the arrest of people fighting for their rights on false charges of disturbing law and order.
The arrested individuals were later acquitted. The purpose of such arrests appears to be keeping them incarcerated for extended periods on false charges, perpetuating frivolous allegations to deny bail, and to create a compelling situation for the villagers so that they would sell their land while facing trials. In some instances, companies have taken over villagers’ land while they were imprisoned.
Here, ‘GASS’ demands that:
- The people’s movement for protection of own life and livelihood should not be treated as a problem of law and order. The government should initiate process of dialogue and give respect to the demands of the communities.
- The resolution of Gramsabha and Public hearing held in a transparent manner should be treated as public opinion.
- The cases registered against villagers in the Sijimali area should be withdrawn, and all the arrested persons should be released.
After the formation of the new government in the state, the following persons have been arrested in the Sijimali area:
1. Kartik Nayak (arrested on September 19, 2024)
2. Puruth Nayak (arrested on December 10, 2024)
3. Hiramal Nayak (arrested on January 6, 2025)
4. Kumeshwar Nayak (arrested on January 6, 2025)
Here to say that both Hiramal and Kumeshwar were arrested while they were going to submit a demand letter for the area during Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s visit to Rayagada.
Golak Bihar Nath, President
Deba Ranja, General Secretary
Ganatantrik Adhikar Surakhya Sangathan, Odisha
Email: [email protected]
