Police action on tribals opposing mining at Sijimali deplorable, say activists

Violent Clash Leaves Dozens Injured in Rayagada

Following the violent clash between the police and villagers in Odisha’s Rayagada district on 7 April 2026 that left around 60 people, including tribals and police personnel, injured, political and civil society groups have condemned the government’s alleged highhandedness to make way for bauxite mining by a private company, sacrificing forest dwellers right over their land.

Protest Against Road Construction Linked to Mining Project

The tribals, who have been opposing the proposed mining at Sijimali hill under Kashipur block of the district for the past three years, were staging a demonstration to protest the construction of a 3 km road at Sagabari village as they feared it would clear the way to the bauxite mine site. The administration officials said when officials tried to clear the demonstrators from the spot the latter attacked the police with stone, axes and other sharp edged weapons.

Villagers Allege Use of Excessive Force

However, the villagers alleged that the administration used force and beat up the people who were protesting against mining peacefully. Among the injured villagers were several women, they said. At least six platoons of police have been deployed in the area after the incident.

Background: Mining Project and Corporate Involvement

In February 2023, after the Vedanta group was declared the preferred bidder for the Sijimali bauxite mine, the company engaged another company Mythri to set up and operate the mine that has a reserve of 311 million tonnes of bauxite.

Allegations of Intimidation and Forced Evictions

People alleged that since then the people are facing intimidation, violence and arrest from the government agencies for protesting against mining. The administration has been forcing the tribals to vacate the places they have been living for thousands of years, they alleged.

Human Rights Concerns Raised by Activists

“The Odisha government has unleashed untold miseries on its own tribal people since 2023 to push for a mining project of a private company. Several innocent tribals, including pregnant women, have been arrested by the police to crush the protest by the local people. The government is working like an agent of the company,” said human rights activist Narendra Mohanty.

Political Reactions and Condemnation

Strongly condemning police action against the tribals on April 7, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) said that the government allowed the Vedanta to extract bauxite from Sijimali hills ignoring the interests of the local residents. “Instead of discussing with the agitators and taking effective steps regarding their demands, the government has resorted to repressive measures to disrupt the movement by the people,” said Shankar Dasgupta, state secretary of SUCI.

Constitutional Concerns in Scheduled Areas

Rayagada is predominantly inhabited by tribal people and Sijimali is a Fifth Scheduled Area where tribals’ interests should be protected as per the Constitution of India. Activists, however, say that mining leases are granted in such areas by the state government flouting all constitutional norms.

Political Context and Silence of Opposition

The Sijimali mine was given to Vedanta when the Biju Janata Dal government was in power. After the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state, the government headed by it has pushed for the project more vigorously. As opposition parties, the BJD and the Congress have not voiced serious concern about the clampdown on the tribals and their loss of livelihoods from loss of forest due to mining activities.