Rayagada: Saptagiri Ulaka, the Koraput MP and AICC In-charge for North Eastern States, led a high-level Congress delegation to Rayagada and the Sijimali mining area this Friday to demand justice for displaced tribal families.
Following the directions of PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, the delegation visited the affected villages to stand against alleged police repression and assess the ground reality of the mining conflict.
The delegation, which included former Minister Suresh Rautray and several senior Congress leaders, met with local residents to hear their grievances.
During the visit, Saptagiri Ulaka expressed deep concern over reports that police had entered villages late at night and that multiple gram sabhas were conducted in a single day without the consent of the people. He pointed out that unlike the Niyamgiri proceedings, these meetings lacked proper oversight and ignored the fundamental rights of the tribal community over their land and forests.
MP Shri Ulaka confirmed that a comprehensive report on the situation and the administrative irregularities would be submitted to the PCC President to be shared with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, PCC Vice President Tara Prasad Bahinipati noted that Rahul Gandhi has a long history of fighting for tribal rights and suggested that the senior leader may visit Sijimali in the future to ensure the protection and security of the local people.
The visiting team, which also featured CLP Leader Ramachandra Kadam and various district MLAs, demanded the immediate release of villagers arrested on false charges.
They collectively urged the government to stop using state machinery to serve corporate interests and vowed that the Congress party would continue to escalate the matter in both the State Assembly and the Lok Sabha.