Strongly pleading for speedy development in backward Kalahandi and nearby areas of Odisha, locals including tribal people today opposed any campaign against projects like Vedanta even as activists including Medha Patkar held a meeting in Lanjigarh.
Participants in the rally, organised by Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti (NSS) at Jagannathpur near Lanjigarh and attended by Patkar, Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das and former MLA George Tirkey raised slogans against Vedanta.
Patkar said in the name of development, life of local people should not be destroyed and no one should face displacement for setting up industrial units.
Development is a process which should ensure people's rights over jal, jamin and jungle (water, land and forest), she said.
The rally drew sharp reaction from locals who claimed that the activists chose the World Environment Day to reach Lanjigarh and use the occasion to garner support against the state government, Vedanta and the agenda of development.
The local people including tribals also staged demonstration in some places and shouted slogans at Chatrapur when Patkar's vehicle passed by.
Dandasi Majhi, a tribal leader who gave his land for the project, came out in support of development and said, "Why should outsiders come in and pollute the atmosphere? They have nothing to offer when it comes to jobs, education and health care and yet want to lure innocent tribals away from progress. We are competent to decide our own future and our life."
Claiming that there was a systematic attempt to disturb the only industry in the region, which has brought development in Lanjigarh area, he said a large number of people got jobs and facilities because of the alumina refinery.
Chandra Pesnia, another pro-development activist, who heads the Niyamgiri Anchalik Vikas Parishad, said "We have given our land for the refinery. In return we have got jobs. We have got a school of international standard, modern health care and a re-habilitation colony, which is a model for the state. Why should we listen to these outsiders who only divide us and incite hatred and violence?"
BJP leader and former Odisha minister Pradipta Naik came down heavily on anti-industry campaign and said it was clear that Congress and its activists friends do not want development of the state.
Garibi Hatao was a mere slogan for them. They actually intend to survive by fooling the poor and even tribals have seen through their game and have rejected them both in the state and the country, he said.
Rajendra Mali, a resident of the rehabilitation colony said it was because of Vedanta that they have got house and jobs.
"What have these activists given us in the name of development? Just hollow slogans," he said.
