Thread by @thebahujana

The Niyamgiri Struggle began in 2004 when mining rights were granted to Vedanta Alumina, ignoring environmental & human rights concerns. The Dongria Kondhs are still fighting a never ending battle to protect their livelihood. 🧵

Prepared by - @lokeshbag67 & @SanjayKumarKHR

Here's how the village priestess (Bejuni) of the Dongria Kondh expressed her thoughts on the battle against Vedanta. (1/18)

Lada Sikaka, a prominent leader of the tribal community and the primary voice for the Dongria Kondh people, has been arrested on multiple occasions by the police in efforts to disrupt the momentum of the Niyamgiri movement. (2/18)

The Dongria Kondh tribe became a source of inspiration for many when they successfully won a battle against mining giant Vedanta Alumina. (3/18)

Fiery speech of Lada Sikaka from 2010. (4/18)

Because of the determined protests by the Dongria Kondh & the widespread support, the Indian govt sent a group of experts to the Niyamgiri Hills in 2010. The experts concluded that Vedanta's plan to mine bauxite would seriously harm the Dongria Kondh people. (5/18)

Soon after, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh halted the project. Months later, the Environment Ministry rejected Vedanta's refinery expansion plan. (6/18)

Fueled by their determination, the Dongria Kondh escalated their resistance against the company's pursuits, orchestrating extensive protests and mobilizations. (7/18)

In a significant verdict upholding tribal rights in India, the Supreme Court made a historic ruling on April 18, 2013. It dismissed the appeal to lift the mining ban & declared that the Dongria Kondh would decide if they want to allow mining project. (8/18)

Before they even got permission to mine, the company showed that they like to avoid following rules. They built a refinery in Lanjigarh and kept going with their plans, even though they were only allowed to do it if they didn't use forested areas. (9/18)

The Dongria Kondh villagers attribute skin ailments, livestock illnesses, and agricultural losses to pollution stemming from the refinery. The primary waste output of this facility, a hazardous sludge known as 'red mud,' dries into a fine dust under the sun's rays. (10/18)

A poem by Akhila Naik (Dalit writer). (11/18)

Lingaraj Azad, an activist and a Dalit, holds the position of advisor within the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti. (12/18)

At the Niyamgiri hills, the Dongria Kondh community assembled for their yearly festival. However, amidst persistent mining threats, these gatherings echo songs that highlight an increasing urgency to safeguard their land and community. (13/18)

The state govt is trying to privatize Dongria Kondh land for corporate use through an “eco tourism project” at Arishakani village, Kurli Gram Panchayat, with a budget of Rs one crore. (14/18)

On 6th August, the police lodged an FIR against nine people including Lada Sikaka and Drenju Krisika, Lingaraj Azad, British Kumar, and poet Lenin Kumar who has been in solidarity with the movement. They have been charged under various sections of UAPA and that of IPC. (15/18)

FIR PAGE 3 &4. (16/18)

A writ of habeas corpus was filed in the High Court to produce Krushna Sikaka & Bari Sikaka. As a result, while police released Bari Sikaka & made him reach his village, Krushna Sikaka was shown to be arrested under the charge of a rape case filed way back in 2018. (17/18)

At present, a total of 9 Dalit - Adivasi activists have been implicated under the UAPA and various sections of the IPC, with 2 of them already being arrested.(18/18)

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