Police Crackdown in Sijimali: Multiple Injuries and Death of Cow Raise Human Rights Concerns in Odisha

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:38:00 +0200

A pre-dawn police operation in Kantamal, Odisha, on April 7, 2026, left several villagers injured, with one cow killed due to tear gas deployment. Police forces surrounded the village, cut off electricity, and engaged in violent actions, including lathi charges and tear gas usage. This crackdown was tied to ongoing protests against road construction to the Sijimali bauxite mine, which local tribal communities oppose. The conflict stems from allegations that the mining project was approved through fabricated Gram Sabha proceedings, bypassing consent from the affected communities. The police presence has turned the area into a militarized zone, and critics argue that these actions prioritize corporate interests over the rights and security of indigenous populations. Human rights organizations are raising concerns over the suppression of democratic rights and the criminalization of tribal opposition. The ongoing tensions highlight the broader issue of land and resource rights in tribal ar