JARAPA (RAYAGADA): After
unanimously rejecting Vedanta’s beleaguered proposal for bauxite mining in
Niyamgiri hills in the 12th and last Palli Sabha held in Jarapa hilltop village
in Rayagada district on Monday, the Dongria tribals celebrated their victory
with joy and exuberance.
Inquilab Sanskrutik Manch, a
cultural team of tribal groups, performed traditional dance. They registered
their protest in a melodious tone giving a message that they won’t give land,
water and forest at any cost to anybody as they worship the hills since ages.
Through the song in Kui language, they expressed their anger and concern over
the outsiders, who want to displace them by taking away their forests and
lands.
They continuously danced around
one hour drenched in the rain to mark the celebration. The fellow Dongrias then
joined the manch activists.
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| Dongria women are going to attend last Palli Sabha at Jarapa |
A Dongria woman Jakaka Silandu,
who participated in the Palli Sabha, said that her community members don’t want
to be the servants of thecompany. While enjoying the celebration, she said her
community members eke out an independent living by selling forest produces and
producing food from the fertile forest land, but it won’t be possible after the
hills, if the hills go to the company and the Government.
“Why will we leave our own land
for the benefit of an outsider company?” questioned Silandu, adding, “We
worship all the hills of Niyamgiri. If anybody wants it, we are ready for a
bloody battle.”
Tribal villager Lada Sikaka
expressing happiness said that the struggle will till the Niyamgiri villagers
get a written assurance from the State and the Central Government that the
hills would remain intact.
Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti leader
Lingaraj Azad said that the opinions aired by the indigenous people in the
Palli Sabhas proved the deep attachment of the tribals with the hills and god
Niyamraja. The victory in the Palli Sabhas is just the beginning of a
revolution.
“The real celebration is yet to
come up. We are waiting for the decision of the Central Government on
Niyamgiri’s fate,” said Azad, adding, “Our struggle will continue till we get
land, water and forest which are tribals’ right.”
--Published in The Pioneer on August 21, 2013
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