NSS begins publicity campaign against mining

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/09/16/stories/2009091655260300.htm)
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NSS begins publicity campaign against mining

Staff Reporter

Anti-Vedanta rally at Muniguda on October 5

CPI (ML New Democracy) extends support to the movementWeek-long padayatra to be launched from Idurupa village from September 29

BERHAMPUR: The ‘Niyamgiri Surakhya Samity (NSS)’ has started publicity campaign for a major mass movement in remote areas of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts against the mining by Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL).
The NSS is planning to hold a large anti-Vedanta rally at Muniguda in Rayagada district on October 5.
A week-long ‘padayatra’ in areas to be affected by the bauxite mining by the company would precede it. According to the action committee member of the NSS, Rabi Kumbhruka they have already started the efforts to garner support for the rally and ‘padayatra’.
It is mostly being done through interpersonal communication.
Mr. Kumbhurka informed that a meeting was held at Sakata village of Muniguda block on September 12 to chalk out the plans in detail of this campaign.
This meeting was also attended by the former MLA of Bisamkatak, Sarangdhar Kadraka, who has decided to help this anti-Vedanta movement in the area. The CPI (ML New Democracy) has also extended its support to the movement.
The ‘padayatra’ would start from Idurupa village of Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district on September 29. It would conclude at Sakata village on October 5.
The protestors who would have gathered up at Sakata would march to Muniguda for the large rally.

Major base

Mr. Kumbhurka said their main aim is to make people and government alert about the illegal mining by the VAL in Niyamgiri hills, which would affect the life and livelihood of people of the area. They have chosen Muniguda as their site of agitation as it is a major base for the company.
Bhala Chandra Sarangi, the spokesperson of the CPI (ML New Democracy) said “People should know how the VAL had started mining in the Niyamgiri hills without proper environmental clearance”.
The VAL is setting up an alumina refinery in Orissa at an estimated investment of over Rs. 4,000 crore.
The construction of refinery unit is complete. It is to depend on ores mined from Niyamgiri region.
But the mining has been delayed due to court cases and protest by green activists.
It faces stiff opposition of the locals of around 104 tribal villages to be affected by this controversial mining project who have formed the NSS.
The affected persons include more than 7,987 primitive Dongria Kondh and Jharania Kondh tribals of the region. Green activists also allege that mining in the area would affect the water flow in the major rivers of south Orissa that emerge from the Niyamgiri region.

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