BJD Seeks President’s Intervention Over Alleged Police Atrocities in Sijimali
Rayagada/Bhubaneswar, April 11: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly condemned alleged police excesses against tribal communities in the Sijimali hills of Rayagada district, calling the actions “inhuman” and reflective of anti-tribal policies.
At a press conference, senior leaders Jagannath Saraka, Jhina Hikaka, and Dr Priyabrata Majhi accused the state government of suppressing peaceful protests against violations of PESA and Forest Rights laws.
They urged the President of India to intervene and ensure justice for the affected villagers.
A BJD delegation visited the region, interacted with victims, and documented accounts of repression during protests against a mining company’s road construction project.
Locals alleged a late-night attack, describing it as barbaric, after electricity was cut off in the area.
The controversy stems from opposition to a bauxite mining project auctioned to Vedanta Ltd. in 2023, with tribals raising concerns over livelihoods, water sources, forest rights, and irregularities in Gram Sabha consent.
Party leaders stressed that industrial development must not come at the cost of tribal rights, demanding lawful Gram Sabha processes and protection of constitutional safeguards.
