BHAWANIPATNA/BHUBANESWAR: Kalahandi MP Malvika Devi has drawn attention of Union minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy to the unrest over mining in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, and sought a review of the statutory clearances.
In a letter, the MP highlighted the ‘ongoing disturbance’ in the region, specifically noting that people of the region, many of whom belong to tribal groups are dependent on Sijimali hills for livelihood, sustenance and cultural identity. Their fear regarding displacement, environment degradation and loss of traditional rights must be acknowledged with utmost sensitivity, she stated in the letter.
She urged the Union minister to review the clearance granted for projects in the area, verification of Gram Sabha consent and tribal rights and ecology. Malvika Devi said situation on the ground requires intervention to uphold trust of people in the democratic and administrative processes.
Talking to TNIE over phone, she said she was getting phone calls from people and took it as her moral duty to pursue the allegations since tribals are important for her. Development and industrialisation is vital for the region but it should be carried out by taking affected people into confidence through dialogue.
The MP said that she spoke with CM Mohan Charan Majhi who assured to conduct inquiry into the allegations to sort out the problems and follow up the matter. He is keen to look after the interests of affected people and build confidence, she said.
Malvika Devi also said she will visit the area soon and interact with the affected people.
Meanwhile, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra has urged National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) chairman Antar Singh Arjya to depute a fact-finding team to Sijimali to assess the factual situation on the ground following the violence on April 6 night.
In a letter to the NCST chief, Patra said the commission should examine the allegations of police excesses including circumstances which led to the use of force on the villagers, and whether established legal safeguards were adhered to.
“The reported injuries to the tribal villagers including women point to a potential pattern of excessive use of force which warrants immediate and independent scrutiny,” the BJD MP said.
He sought examination of recognition and vesting of individual and community forest rights before commencement of project-related activities. “It should also be assessed whether free, prior and informed consent of Gram Sabhas was obtained in a lawful and credible manner under PESA or if such processes had been diluted and bypassed,” Patra demanded.