Halt all Vedanta projects, says Lok Shakti Abhijan

The Lok Shakti Abhijan (LSA) and Samajbadi Jan Parishad (SJP) today called upon the state government, leaders of political parties, leaders of mass movement and intellectuals to ensure that all the projects undertaken by Vedanta group in Orissa are halted.

They also demanded dismissal and arrest of all administrative, forest, revenue and police officials who were allegedly “influenced” by Vedanta to prepare reports favouring the company.

Addressing the media, Prafulla Samantara, president, LSA said, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court in 2004 had suggested that mining shouldn’t be allowed in Niyamgiri due to its rich bio-diversity. Apart from being a store house of wide range of flora and fauna, two major rivers namely Bansadhara and Nagabali originate from this hill range where the primitive Dongaria tribes are living for generations.

However, the recommendations of the CEC were ignored by the Supreme Court as the court gave clearance for mining at Niyamgiri.

Alleging that Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) had violated the provisions of the forests rights act (FRA), he said, the fact finding report submitted by Dr Usha Ramanathan has confirmed the charges against Vedanta.