Tribals protest against the Government’s proposal of bauxite mining in Vishakhapatnam

The tribal areas around Eastern Ghats of Vishakhapatnam are expressing collective resistance to the proposal of bauxite mining in the area. The Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Minister R Kishore Babu however say that no decision has been taken on the issue and the recent statement made by the Chief Minister at the World Tribal Day was only suggestive.

On Sunday, the minister reassured the reporters that the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s proposal was only a suggestion and neither a decision nor a permit to start mining activities in the area. He goes on to say that “The Government is committed to the welfare of Girijans and will not take up any activity that would affect their quality of life,”

The tribals however have not received the announcement well and have participated in many protests and meeting organized by the CPI (M), CPI and the CPI (Maoists) in the area. A thousand tribals participated in the meeting organised by the Maoists of Saturday night. They all have displayed strict opposition to the move and have come to a unanimous decision to not allow any mining in their hills.

In the light of these protests, the minister states that there was no move to protest against as of now and also hinted that the organisers were misleading the Girijans. He confirms that the Telegu Desam Government would not do anything that would go against the wishes and interests of the Girijans.