Clashes Over Bauxite Project in Odisha

Background and Recent Clashes

Recent clashes between tribal villagers and police near Kashipur in Odisha's Rayagada district have resulted in injuries to at least 40 police personnel and 25 villagers. The conflict centers around a 3 km-long approach road to the Sijimali bauxite mine. This reflects ongoing discontent with the bauxite project since its allocation to Vedanta Limited in 2023 through an auction.

Details of the Protest and Allegations

• Villagers allege that police raids occurred early in the morning to detain protestors, with electricity cut off and doors broken down.
• Police claim they were there to arrest an individual with a non-bailable warrant.
• Nearly 250 villagers reportedly attacked the police, leading to a lathi-charge and teargas deployment.
• Prohibitory orders were issued on April 3, but protests continued due to claims of insufficient consultation on the road construction.
• Allegations of fraudulent conduct during Gram Sabhas and forged signatures have been raised by villagers.

Project Details and Environmental Concerns

• The bauxite reserve covers 1,500 hectares in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, with an estimated 311 million tonnes of high-grade bauxite.
• Vedanta's alumina refinery in Lanjigarh is capable of producing 5 million tonnes per annum.
• Odisha accounts for 41% of India's bauxite resources and was the leading producer in 2021-22, comprising about 73% of total production.

Past Protests and Legal Challenges

• Vedanta's previous attempt to mine bauxite from Niyamgiri hills was rejected due to tribal rights and ecological concerns.
• The Supreme Court mandated Gram Sabha clearance, leading to rejection of the mining plan by all 12 Gram Sabhas in Niyamgiri.