The gram sabha in Khambesi village of Rayagada district on Tuesday also voted against mining on Niyamgiri hills. Today’s was the 11th gram sabha which has rejected bauxite mining on the hills. The last gram sabha will be held on August 19.
All the 50 villagers, including 37 women present at the meeting, asserted their religious and cultural rights over the hills and stressed that no mining would be allowed on the hills, which is being worshipped by Dongria Kondhs for years.