About 15 kms from the idyllic hilly town of Semiliguda in South Odisha’s Koraput district, the stage is set for an encore of the Niyamgiri-type agitation, as the tribals gather at the foothills of Mali Parbat to protest against bauxite mining by Hindalco Industries Ltd in the area.

Sharing the concerns of the Dongria Kondh tribe at Niyamgiri, whose protests had put a halt to Vedanta’s bauxite mining plan two years ago, the tribals in Semiliguda are also worried about the protection of their environment and livelihood.

The bauxite mining operation in Mali Hill in south Odisha’s Koraput district by Hindalco Industries has been stopped due to the agitation by the local tribal people.

Taking up cudgels under the banner of Mali Parvata Surakhya Samiti (MPSS), the tribal people of the area have launched an agitation demanding cancellation of mining lease issued to the aluminium major. The agitators pointed out that tribals of around 40 villages under the Sorishapodar, Hundi, Dalaiguda and Pakhajhola panchayats in Similiguda block would be affected by the mining operation.