By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: BJD MP Dr. Sasmit Patra wrote to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram to intervene in the Sijimali ongoing conflict affecting the tribal communities in Tribal dominated Rayagada District in the State.
BJD MP Dr Patra’s missive came following reports of police brutality on innocent tribals fight Vedanta Group’s Bauxite mining. A prominent BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP known for raising Odisha-specific issues in Parliament. BJD has historically positioned itself as a regional party balancing development with tribal and environmental concerns in mineral-rich areas.Dr Patra cited “Indiscriminate Police action on tribals in Sijimali’ and sought urgent intervention .
Dr. Patra urges immediate central government intervention to address alleged excessive police action against tribal communities in Sijimali. He describes the situation as deeply concerning and calls for restraint, dialogue, and protection of tribal rights.
Main Concerns Raised: Indiscriminate and “brute” police action against protesting tribal men, women, and communities opposing a proposed bauxite mining project. Injuries reported on both sides (tribals and police) during clashes. Lack of free, prior, and informed consent from Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) for mining-related activities. Need to strictly adhere to statutory safeguards under the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), which protect tribal land, forest, and livelihood rights.
Urgent Requests: Immediate restraint on the ground and safeguarding of tribal rights, dignity, and security.Engagement by the Union Minister (and involvement of Odisha’s Chief Minister) through dialogue and discussion.Ensuring that legal processes (PESA and Gram Sabha) are followed “in letter and spirit.”A “timely and balanced intervention” to de-escalate tensions and protect tribal communities.
Tribal Grievances: Allegations of fraudulent Gram Sabha approvals, forged signatures, and violation of consent norms. The area includes significant forest land, and locals view the project as a threat to their “jal, jungle, jameen” (water, forest, land).
Broader Issue: This echoes past Odisha mining conflicts (e.g., Niyamgiri hills against Vedanta). The project has conditional forest clearance but faces ongoing local resistance.
Dr. Patra, as a Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha with roots in the state, frames his appeal around protecting “tribal brothers and sisters” and building confidence through lawful processes.
This letter directly responds to violent clashes that erupted around 7 April 2026 in Rayagada district’s Kashipur area. Tribal residents (primarily Adivasi communities) have been protesting for years against the Sijimali bauxite mining project, awarded to Vedanta Limited via auction in 2023. The reserve is estimated at around 311 million tonnes of bauxite.
Immediate Trigger: Construction of a ~3 km approach road (from areas like Purulang/Purlang to Sagabari Ghati) to access the mining site. Protesters blocked the work, fearing displacement, loss of forest rights, depletion of water sources, and damage to livelihoods and the environment.
Protests turned violent, with reports of dozens injured (figures vary across sources: around 40-70 total, including 33-58 police personnel). Police used tear gas; tribals reportedly used traditional tools. Some accounts mention early-morning raids or prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS.
This reflects a classic development vs. indigenous rights conflict in India’s mining belts, where legal frameworks like PESA and FRA are often invoked to demand community consent before projects proceed.
