Mining feud takes ugly turn – ToI -- 11.5.11

MPP Severely Beaten Up By Adivasis; Araku MLA Manhandled

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Dumbriguda (Visakhapatnam): Hundreds of Adivasis went on a rampage at Sarayi village on Tuesday in protest against the proposed mining of China clay in Kandrum panchayat of Dumbriguda mandal. While local MPP Korra Dhanne Rao was chased and beaten up severely, Araku MLA Siveri Soma (TDP) was physically assaulted by the tribals of nearby villages in Dumbriguda, 126 km from Vizag.
    The angry mob damaged the MLA’s vehicle and shouted slogans against him. The Adivasis from the villages of Jankarguda, Sarayi, Kandrum, Jodiguda, Ujjangi, Sinderiguda, Beddaguda, Ombi and Korra gathered in large numbers in the morning to hear out the speakers from various organisations and political parties opposing the proposed mining.
    Soon after, MLA Soma accompanied by Dhanne Rao came there. As soon as the Adivasis saw them, they grew agitated. They began to argue with the MLA and even pushed him. Many of them vented their ire at Rao. This was because they perceived that he was bidding in the name of a benami company and bribing the local Adviasis to accept the mining. In fact, for the last several months, the Adivasis have been demanding the MPP to join them in protest instead of supporting the private Mutchika Bhoodevi firm. The Adivasis hurled choicest abuses at the MPP and manhandled him. He began to walk away from the place but a large number of Adivasis, most of them women, chased him.
    They hurled dung and mud at him and tore his shirt. A frightened Rao ran for his life. Some of his associates were also chased and beaten up mercilessly by the tribal women. While chasing the MPP, the tribals, who carried their traditional bows, arrows and axes, besides sharpedged weapons, saw the MLA’s vehicle and damaged it.
    In fact, a public hearing for the mining of China clay was scheduled to be held at Sarayi in Dumbriguda mandal on Tuesday but was cancelled as the collector sought a report from Paderu RDO Prasada Rao about the growing opposition to the mining from the Adivasis. As per estimations, there is nearly 60 lakh tonnes of China clay reserves, worth Rs 600 crore in the market, in an extent of 15.6 hectares in survey No. 122 of Sarayi in the Agency region.