K' handi tribals up the ante against mining in Niyamgiri

The Pioneer, May 21, 2011
PNS, Bhawanipatna
Hundreds of Jharnia and Dongria kondhs armed with axes took out a rally from Muniguda to Trilochanpur village under Lanjigarh block to save the Niyamgiri hills from mining on Tuesday. The tribals’ rally started on May 12 and concluded on May 18.

The rally was led by tribal leaders Loda Sikaka, Niyamgiri Surakhya Samitee president Kumuti Majhi and activist Lingaraj Azad. They were shouting: ‘Maribu Pache, Daribu Nahi, Niyamgiri Ku Chhadibu Nai (We may die but won’t cast off Niyamgiri)’.

The harassment to the tribals by the police and middlemen (dalals) of the industries was heavily protested by the tribal leaders during a meeting on the concluding day of the rally.

While addressing the gatherings, tibal leader Loda said that unless we become united, we can’t oppose eviction from our home. We are dependent on the Niyamgiri hills like our ancestors and we will save the hill at any cost, he maintained.