Nawanshahr:- In a press statement today, the state conveners of the Democratic Front against Operation Green Hunt, Dr. Parminder Singh, Prof. AK Maleri, Buta Singh Mahmudpur and Yash Pal, have strongly condemned the arrest of prominent human rights activists Lingaraj Azad and Suresh Sangram by the Odisha Police. Lingaraj, a leader of the Samajwadi Jan Parishad, has been associated with people's movements like Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti and Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch.
He has consistently raised his voice against the illegal acquisition of tribal lands and imposition of mining projects in the Scheduled Areas. They are continuously fighting to protect the rights of tribal communities under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the PESA Act (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
These specific laws prohibit the acquisition of any land or use for mining activities without the free, prior and informed consent of the Gram Sabha. The arrest of Lingaraj Azad and his accomplice is not an isolated incident but part of a wider government crackdown on the growing corporate exploitation in mineral-rich tribal areas of Odisha and across India, and on individuals and organizations opposing this illegal practice.
The aim is to silence a strong public voice against the exploitative projects of corporates. These areas are being handed over to exploitative mining businesses with the help of the oppressive power of the state. The rampant mining projects of companies like Vedanta Resources are responsible for widespread displacement, deforestation, loss of traditional livelihoods and serious environmental degradation. Despite legal protection, it is common practice to ignore or blackmail village councils.
Tribal community leaders, activists and public organisations who raise their voices against this are being targeted with false cases, arrests, imprisonment, surveillance and threats. The leaders of the front demanded that Lingaraj Azad and Suresh Sangram be released immediately and unconditionally; all false and fabricated charges against them be withdrawn; government repression of mass democratic struggles be stopped.
Land acquisition and imposition of mining projects without the consent of village councils be immediately stopped; corporate exploitation of natural resources and displacement of tribal communities be stopped. Mining and other anti-people projects for corporate profit be stopped; PESA (1996) and the Forest Rights Act (2006) should be strictly implemented and strict action should be taken against the officials responsible for illegal arrests and violation of democratic rights.