Rayagada: Maoist posters opposing mining projects and companies in tribal-dominated region was found at Mandibishi village under Kashipur police limits in Odisha’s Rayagada district today.
The Maoists reportedly put up approximately three posters and banners at the tribal village appealing to the locals to protest police atrocities and political leaders and punish the company brokers.
The government and a mining company have announced to generate 274 employments with mining operations at Sikumali, Manjigamali and Kutumali. Approximately, 1000 people will get jobs with the set up of a proposed factory at Kansariguda. However, over 3,000 people in 200 villages will be affected due to displacement for the projects, a poster read.
“Millions of people and livestock depending on the river will be affected due to pollution caused by the companies. There will be massive crop loss due to pollution,” it stated.
Raising concern for the locals, the red rebels asked, “Whether the locals will get the jobs? If the development is will take place with establishment of factories, why the Naveen government has closed 15,000 factories making at least 15 people jobless.”
The BJD government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced to generate 7.50 lakh jobs in past 10 years. But, only 7,000 people have got jobs as of now. Around 75% outside people are engaged in companies set up in the state. With operation of mining in the state, the rate of migrant labourers has increased, the Maoist poster read, describing the companies like Vedanta, Adani and Birla as ‘looters’.
So far, 31 protestors opposing the companies have been arrested in the state. Nine leaders have been booked on sedition charges for protest in Niyamgiri. Is fighting against a company a seditious act, the Maoists questioned alleging the present government and police administration of not working for tribals, dalits and farmers, rather they serve to companies, contractors and affluents.
