In the quiet village of Sijimali, situated in the Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of Odisha, a notable resistance movement has emerged over the past two years against proposed mining projects.
Sijimali refers to a range of hills in Odisha, celebrated for its rich bauxite deposits, sacred significance to local indigenous communities, and biodiversity. In 2023, Vedanta Limited received a letter of intent for the Sijimali Bauxite block, covering 1,549.022 hectares and containing an estimated bauxite reserve of 311 million tonnes.
However, in September 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change postponed decisions regarding Vedanta Ltd’s proposal to divert 708.2 hectares of forest land for mining operations at Sijimali. Following this decision, the state government formed a committee led by the Rayagada Collector to oversee rehabilitation and resettlement related to the project.
Currently, Sijimali is the focal point of a resistance movement led by tribal and Dalit communities. Local activists report an ongoing campaign of intimidation by the company and authorities, aimed at disrupting protests against the mining project. Since 2023, villagers have established a tent atop the hills to prevent company officials from secretly initiating project preparations.
A significant development occurred when Naring Dei, a prominent leader within the protests, was arrested and jailed by Odisha Police for her activism against the mining initiative. This arrest has raised considerable concern among human rights advocates and community members alike.
Naring Dei, in her 50s, is a member of the Maa Maati Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch, an anti-mining organization comprising Kui-speaking Indigenous people and Dalits. Villagers report that Dei’s arrest was executed in an “illegal and forceful” manner.
On the night of August 1, Dei rushed to a hospital in Rayagada, approximately 100 kilometers from Sijimali, as her daughter-in-law was about to give birth. Rukdai Majhi, a relative of Dei, recounted that on the morning of August 2, after visiting her newborn grandson for a few minutes, Naring Dei was called outside by men disguised as doctors and subsequently arrested.
Upon learning of her arrest, Majhi reportedly saw the police surrounding Deel. “She calmly gave me the money and medicine prescriptions. I stood there too shocked and helpless,” Majhi said.
Villagers learned that an ASHA worker at the hospital had collaborated with the police for Dei’s arrest. Activist Sharanya Nayak of the RITES Forum remarked, “The villagers are self-sufficient people. However, the police made such an elaborate plan as if they were arresting a big criminal. It’s their way of humiliating the people, especially knowing how significant it would be for them that a woman is arrested.”
Dei’s incarceration was unprecedented in the village, where past protests had never led to a woman’s arrest. “They are humble people fighting for their rights. They have never seen or even imagined prison,” Nayak noted.
Dei has been charged with multiple offenses, including rioting, unlawful assembly, and attempted murder, alongside two male associates. Villagers believe her vocal opposition to the mining plans, highlighted by her meeting with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, made her a specific target for police action.
The mining area, home to Kui Adivasis and Dalits, is protected under the Constitution and the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, which secures self-governance in tribal zones.
Despite rich natural resources, Rayagada and Kalahandi remain among India’s poorest regions. Villagers rely heavily on their land for sustenance, growing mangoes, cashews, and various crops. Recent developments show a heightened state of vigilance and resistance among the community.
With Naring Dei’s arrest, intimidation tactics have increased, and men from nearby villages have also faced false charges. Her husband, Samu Majhi, has been unable to meet her due to similar false accusations against him.
Samu expressed determination to continue fighting, stating, “We are just fighting for our rights. These cases are meant to intimidate us. But we cannot stop fighting for our land, trees, hills, and lives.”
Several community members continue to be imprisoned, cycling in and out of custody amid the ongoing protests. During a visit from activists, Naring Dei appeared distressed and tearful, inquiring about her release.
According to her lawyer, Mangal Murti Beuria, local villagers face numerous fabricated charges intended to discourage their activism. “They are building a criminal case to make an example of them,” he stated. “The company is spending significant resources to keep vocal individuals behind bars.”
Beuria noted that villagers are often misrepresented in legal claims, with community members targeted for carrying traditional hunting tools mislabeled as weapons.
Bela Ram, an independent journalist from the tribal community, revealed that Vedanta had previously subcontracted an Andhra Pradesh-based company to facilitate intimidation against villagers, including obtaining signatures under duress. A fraudulent Gram Sabha was later claimed, perpetuating community outrage.
Consequently, police arrested 24 individuals in connection with various fabricated charges. Many villagers were forced to hide in forests for safety.
“The forest is our home, so we felt safe,” a villager said in reflection of their ongoing struggle.
The Ministry of Environment’s recent delay in Vedanta’s project has provided little comfort to the protesters, as Nayak stated, “This is a small win in a long struggle. ‘Defer’ doesn’t mean the project has been scrapped.”
The villagers of Sijimali continue their sit-in protest in the face of ongoing adversity, committed to their land and cultural heritage. “When we are ready to die, what is even jail for us?” said Rakdai Majhi, summing up their unwavering determination.
Note: This story is part of the APWLD Feminist Media Fund for Alumni Grant.
Tags: Odisha, Sijimali, bauxite mining, woman activist, bail rejection
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