Oct 8,2008
News from a resident of Kadamguda village -
People of 5 villages on the road to Niyamgiri have put a roadblock at Kadamguda. The road leads to Niyamgiri hilltop. Vedanta had planned to do Bhumi Puja there tomorrow and start survey work. Hearing this the people decided to put up a roadblock at Kadamguda. A resident of Kadamguda says they have put up the blockade on their own steam. Supporting NGOs and political parties are yet to arrive at the scene. He has appealed to everyone to lend solidarity.
Since yesterday Vedanta's goons have been repeatedly visiting the blockade site to dissuade the people. They asked the people to send 5 delegates to the refinery to talk to SK Patnaik but the people refused. They have threatened the company people with dire consequences if the exert more pressure. Since today morning half a dozen company goons have made as many attempts to break the people's resolution. These company people are mostly from Lanjigarh and are popularly referred to as the 'goonda party'.
Vedanta has started construction of roads in the area leading to the hilltop. One protestor has been silenced with a plum contract in the construction. A few days ago he refused to meet Action Aid activists with whom he had been working so far as a team. His name is Danu Majhi and I have footage of him giving fiery speeches in Bhubaneswar. It is unfortunate that he chose to support Vedanta.
Also, tomorrow an effigy of Vedanta will be burnt instead of Ravana at Lanjigarh where a big tribal congregation is being planned.
No comments:
Post a Comment