April 22nd 2025.
The recent eviction drive conducted by the administration in Rourkela has sparked controversy and concern, particularly following the death of a 35-year-old tribal man, Ettua Ekka. The man, hailing from Barkani village in Sundergarh district, was protesting the construction of a railway line to the Rourkela Steel Plant. Sadly, he lost his life after allegedly being crushed by an excavator engaged in the construction work.
The incident has caused an uproar among the villagers, who were peacefully protesting against the encroachment of their community land. In addition to Ekka's death, 19 people, including 16 policemen, were injured in the stone-pelting that ensued during the eviction drive. The gravity of this situation has prompted the Opposition BJD to seek the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
A delegation from the BJD presented a memorandum to the NCST, through its regional office in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the "grave violation of tribal rights" and the "alarming administrative apathy" that led to Ekka's death on April 20. The memorandum also raises concerns about the conduct of the police and the use of force against peaceful protesters.
The BJD has urged the NCST to launch an independent inquiry into Ekka's death and the role of local authorities. They have also demanded that FIRs be filed against responsible officials and RSP personnel, and that tribal land rights be protected and past acquisitions be reviewed. Furthermore, they have called for the withdrawal of FIRs lodged against tribal protesters and for a structured process of dialogue and mediation between the administration and tribal communities.
According to the BJD, this is not just a matter of law and order, but a question of tribal dignity, justice, and constitutional protection. They have called upon the commission to take decisive action to ensure accountability and prevent such "state-sponsored injustices" from happening to the common man, especially to tribals, in the future.
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