Tribal villagers in Etapalli taluka are up in arms against a proposed iron ore mining project near Surjagarh Tekdi, alleging that the company behind the project has begun groundwork on their agricultural and pasture lands without obtaining gram sabha consent — in violation of forest rights and PESA provisions.
The company, Natural Resources Energy Private Limited, is seeking to acquire approximately 7,516 hectares of land across the Surjagarh–Hetalakasa area for the mining project. Villages affected include Angul, Ramukmal, Meta, Pusake Meta, Anjal Metal Meta and surrounding hamlets.
Villagers allege that company representatives have been approaching them under pressure to secure land consent, and that trees have been felled at some locations without the required permission. Local gram sabhas, which hold statutory authority over forest land decisions in Scheduled Areas under PESA, have not passed any resolution approving the project. Residents say administration has been kept in the dark about proceedings on the ground.
The controversy came to a head after Etapalli sub-divisional officer Amar Raut issued directives to the company a few days ago, instructing it to immediately halt all proceedings and warning of strict action if any village was found to be pressured into giving consent.
Adivasi organisations in Surjagarh have long been engaged in a struggle to protect their forest, land and traditional rights, and view the project as a direct threat to their livelihoods and community autonomy.
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