KORAPUT/BHUBANESWAR: Tribals armed with axes and other sharp farming tools clashed with police Tuesday over the construction of a road linked to an upcoming Vedanta Group bauxite mining project in Odisha’s Rayagada, leaving 58 cops among 70 people injured.The unrest centres on a proposed 3km road that the locals view as a precursor to mining in the ecologically sensitive Sijimali hills. Residents have long opposed the project, citing fears of displacement, loss of forest rights and damage to traditional livelihoods.Authorities said the situation escalated when protesters allegedly turned violent after a police team reached Kantamal village at dawn to arrest Sudarshan Majhi, a suspect wanted in several cases and among those opposing the mining project.“Around 250 tribals from Kantamal and neighbouring villages gheraoed the police team and attacked them, injuring at least 58 personnel. The attackers obstructed medical assistance and continued stone pelting. Police had to use tear gas and lathi-charge to retreat,” Rayagada SP Swathy S Kumar said.A villager alleged that eight people suffered serious injuries in the police lathi-charge, while several others were hurt. Anti-mining activist Prafulla Samantara condemned “police excesses on villagers protesting peacefully” and sought a fair inquiry.Rayagada collector Asutosh Kulkarni visited the area, and appealed for calm.A Vedanta official said it would be inappropriate to comment as the company is yet to start mining operations.Vedanta bagged the mine in 2023. The reserve, estimated at over 300 million tonnes, spans 1,549 hectares across 18 villages and lies within or near more than 20 reserve forests and nine water bodies in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts-both Fifth Schedule areas with predominantly tribal populations.Tensions had flared last week as well after villagers protested during an officials’ visit, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders.
