Adivasi communities in Orissa face police repression as they and Canadian residents protest the construction of a bauxite mine and alumina refinery project that would destroy their way of life.

• Read this article published on CMAQ last april
• Also visit the Alcan't in India Web site for more details

 
On December 1, 2004 in the Kashipur district in the state of Orissa, India, police violently attacked community members peacefully demonstrating against the construction of a mining road and a police barracks on their land. The more than 300 adivasis (indigenous peoples) and dalits (low caste) are part of a mass movement protesting the development of a bauxite mine and alumina plant that would lead to their forced displacement and the destruction of their sacred land. The Canadian aluminium company, Alcan Inc., is one of two partners in the project. At the demonstration, sixteen people, mostly women, were critically injured as police charged them with batons. They did not receive medical treatment, but rather were thrown in jail. Several other community leaders have been reported missing.

While press has been restricted from entering the area, reports from independent media sources indicate that officials in support of the project have stated that whatever means necessary should be used to ensure that construction goes forward. Since December 1st, this has translated into increased police presence in the region, arbitrary arrests and harassment of community members. In response, thousands of people opposed to the project have gathered to protest the repression.

Background to the conflict

The root of this conflict stems from 1994, when an international conglomerate of companies, Utkal Alumina Industries Ltd. (UAIL), started speculation in the bauxite-rich region. The project, done in the name of economic development, will have horrible environmental and social consequences. Twenty-four adivasi villages face displacement and the destruction of their way of life. The communities have been fighting to protect their land since the first access roads were built.

December 1st is not the first time that violence has been used against them. On December 16th, 2000, in the village of Maikanch, three community activists were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration against the mining project. Norsk Hydro, one of the original partners, pulled out after the shootings. This left the Indian company Indal (55% ownership), and Alcan (45% ownership).

As the fourth anniversary of the three men’s deaths approaches, the situation is again becoming violent. While the current events are taking place far away in India, the project relies on support from international actors. While Norsk Hydro cited a “lack of progress