Massive Tribal Protest Blocks Road Against Mining Expansion in Sundargarh, Odisha
Hundreds of tribal villagers staged a massive protest on Sunday against the proposed mine expansion project at Lanjiberna in Rajgangpur, Sundargarh district. Opposing land acquisition for the expansion of a mining project, the protesters enforced a 12-hour blockade on the Sundargarh–Rajgangpur road, causing severe disruption to traffic.
Residents from five panchayats adjoining Lanjiberna expressed strong opposition to the project, raising slogans and asserting they would not give up even an inch of their land. At Jhagarpur, hundreds of men and women blocked the national highway, leaving several vehicles stranded on both sides and causing major inconvenience to commuters.
Albert Kindo, a local resident, said the villagers had repeatedly informed the authorities about the injustice and had approached the Governor and the Collector. “Despite our protests, the administration continues with the land acquisition process. Any further action will be the administration’s responsibility,” he added.
