Congress Fact-Finding Team Highlights Serious Irregularities in Gram Sabha Process and Violations of Tribal Rights in Sijimali Area
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Associate editor
Rayagada, April 11: A fact-finding team constituted by the Odisha PCC President, Bhakta Charan Das, under the leadership of Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, visited Kantamal, Sagabari and other affected areas in the Sijimali region. The team also met the District Collector to present its findings and concerns.
Based on extensive interactions with residents, the team has found serious irregularities and violations of due process. There are strong allegations that the eight Gram Sabhas held in December 2023 were false and fabricated, with the Sarpanch allegedly signing resolutions for all 8 gram sabhas on the same day, raising serious questions about the credibility of the consent process.
Community Forest Rights (CFR) and Individual Forest Rights (IFR) claims have reportedly been pending for the last three years and have not been resolved prior to project-related actions. There are multiple allegations of arbitrary arrests, including the detention of individuals not involved in any violence.
“While we unequivocally condemn any form of violence and believe that those responsible must face the law, innocent villagers must not be harassed. We vehemently condemn the events of 6 April 2026 night, when police entered the village around 3 AM, cut the electricity, broke open doors, and detained residents opposing the project. Such actions constitute a grave misuse of state machinery and have escalated tensions, leading to avoidable violence”, mentioned a press statement released by Ulaka.
The District Magistrate, as the custodian of law and constitutional safeguards, must act in the interest of the people, not as a facilitator of mining, said the press release.
Key demands included a fair and transparent Gram Sabha process, monitored under judicial supervision on the lines of the Niyamgiri Gram Sabha process, must be conducted in Sijimali, recognition of all pending Community and Individual Forest Rights and settlement before any further project activity, withdrawal of all false police cases against innocent villagers, action against those involved in violence,
constitution of a joint committee of local representatives, MP, MLAs, etc., to initiate dialogue with stakeholders and determine the future course of action, ensuring that all decisions are fully compliant with constitutional provisions.
District Administration examining immediately and independently these allegations, including concerns regarding fabricated Gram Sabhas, pending forest rights, and excessive use of force, and ensuring that all actions are strictly in compliance with legal and constitutional provisions.
“The Congress Party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, stands firmly with our tribal brothers and sisters. We will not allow any project to proceed without free, prior, and informed consent, as guaranteed under the Constitution and relevant laws” mentioned the press statement.
