Orissa HC orders probe into police ‘excesses’ on tribal villagers resisting bauxite mining
The court also directed police to ensure that no violence takes place at the adjacent villages
The Orissa High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations of police misconduct against tribal villagers opposing a bauxite mining project. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Chittaranjan Dash directed the Rayagada district administration to report on the incidents. The petitioners, including Purushottam Hikaka and seven others, alleged that police conducted random house raids, arrested 21 villagers, and subjected them to inhumane treatment.
They also claimed that the police were attacked while serving warrants, resulting in injuries to 58 personnel. The controversy arose after the administration attempted to facilitate a road to the mining site, which prompted the villagers' resistance due to concerns over environmental damage and loss of livelihood. The order was published on April 7, and the matter is scheduled to be heard again on September 2.
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