IMC India - Behind Firing at Kashipur again

Behind Firing at Kashipur again
By Bidulata Huika 03/12/2004 At 08:19

Unfortunately, on the eve of the Bhopal disaster, the State of Orissa has indulged in yet another open display of its love for corporations over its own people

2-12-2004 Rayagada:
Yesterday during evening police force fired at tribals and dalits gathered near Karol chowk [Near Kucheipadar/Ramibeda village] when they protested the laying of foundation for a police out-post. They were around 150 people whereas the police force numbered around 500/600 led by Kalahandi SP and Collector. 10 and more are injured and 6 are taken away by police jeep and their whereabouts are not known to the villagers. The area is tense and the armed force have literally seized the area so that no outsiders can enter and inter village meetings can not be held. The police out post has to be set up at any cost to give security to the UAIL where ADITYA BIRLA has the major share other than the multinational company of Canada called ALCAN. Collector and SP and the almost all the senior police officials of the district are camping there at Tikiri. With the help of 4 more platoons of armed police force and in the presence of Collector and SP the foundation stone is being laid. So the hegemony of the state and its loyalty to corporates like BIRLA is again established.

The sequential murderous plan…..

On 27th November, there was a public hearing conducted by the Orissa state pollution control board for HINDALCO[Aditya Birla] in Phuljaba-Kashipur. This company is fully owned by ADITYA BIRLA. Hundreds of people were carried from outside in support of the company. The hearing started by 9.30AM in stead of 11AM and was complete by 12 o’clock. Though hundreds of people protested it, many were obstructed by police on the way. To add to this when the villagers from far off places reached the venue the jury was not there. The ADM and other member of the jury then joined the so called rally of those people carried to the spot by the vehicles hired by company. Thus the farce ended.

On 28th there was a rally in Tikiri[where the UAIL office is situated]organised by all party led by the local MLA Sri Anantaram Majhi[Congress-I]favouring the establishment of the company. The rally was kindly attended by the magnanimous and loyal Collector. He was seen interacting with the company sponsored supporters in the gathering of 4/5 thousand people. It is clear that he was almost taking the lead in making the rally successful. The people demanded to ban the supporting NGOs and arrest leaders who are opposing the UAIL.On the same day, tribals and dalits numbering 5000 had a protest rally near Nuapada Chhak[near Kuchepadar Village] against UAIL.

On 29th the Zilla Parishad meeting was held in Rayagada where the MLA Sri Anantaram Majhi told to the media that he has a threat to his life and property from anti-company group. The District Collector also said that the people and and the organisations will be taken to task if they oppose the company.

On 1st , the Collector alongwith Kalahandi SP move to Kashipur to lay the foundation of a police out post near Kucheipadar. It was at about 4PM the Collector,SP alongwith the armed force threatened the mob of 150 who were sitting and protesting near the place where the foundation was dug. The SP ordered them to vacate the place so that the Collector can inaugurate; but the people refused to leave the place and protested the establishment of the police outpost. Then he ordered for the gas firing. When there was gas firing, some people mistook it for gun firing and started to run at all directions. There was severe lathi charge. The police entered to into Upper Korol village and mercilessly beat the people. Even the ladies and old people were not spared. Six people including two women were severe injured and they were taken to Tikiri thana and put into the hazat. Saroj Nayak of Dudkabahal village and Rammoorthy of Karol village and the wife of Sankarsan Nayak of Dimundi village have bone fractures. Some are treated in Kucheipadar and Tikiri hospitals. Now six people are in hazat[Saroj Nayak, Uma Majhi, Mukuna Disari, Kamal Nayak and Smt Adai majhi and Smt Malai Majhi] who are expected to be forwarded to Rayagada Court tomorrow.

To-day around 700 people gathered under the banyan tree near Kucheipadar and have decided to have a mass meet on 7th Dec near Nuapada Chhak/Karol Chhak and destroy the foundation and the police camp[ 4 platoons of armed police force are camping there].

Internal dynamics

With the instigation of outsiders in Village Kucheipadar, Krushna Saunta’s hut outside the village was burnt and his crops were destroyed with the plea that he is supporting the company. In vengeance Krushna has filed an FIR against the outside activists and some of the tribal youths. He and on Suresh Majhi even joined the all party rally in favour of the company with the banner of PSSP. When this kind of situation is prevailing in the area, an outsider activist called Rabi has eloped with a tribal girl. Other activists are not at all seen. Now people have come to understand their true colour.

Need

People need medical care and legal aid.

Report
Bidulata Huika. Orissa Adibasi Manch.Kasturi Nagar.Rayagada.Orissa.India
Ph-06856-222671/Mob-9437094671

Email:: bidulatahuika@rediffmail.com

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Aflatoon. 02/02/2005 10:18

aflatoon@gmail.com

http://samajwadi.blogspot.com

Bidyutlata Huika's husband Shri Badal Kumar Tah would also be called an 'outsider' according to her own definition.Their NGO, Ankuran was 'blacklisted' by the authorities after the Maikanch Police Firing.As a result the NGO gave a clarification that'Ankuran has no relationship with the Peoples' Movement at Kashipur'(The fact was published in The New Indian Express).
Author of the post sought Assembly Election ticket from Biju Janata Dal,the party in power in Orissa and responsible for the firing and the current attrocities.Failing to get a BJD ticket,she applied for Congress ticket ,though without success.She anyhow contested as an independent from Raygada,outside the area of the peoples struggle.
Krishna Saunta was ostricised by his community and the author tried to mediate unsuccessfully.She too had to face the anger of the community.She has no relationship with PSSP.Such NGOs are notorius in the area for collecting funds from foriegn agencies in the name of the movement.Luckily people of Kashipur identify such opportunists and are aware about their deeds.