The Hindu Business Line : People boycott hearing on bauxite mining

Visakhapatnam, Oct. 3 All major political parties – barring the ruling Congress – NGOs, associations of Girijans and several others opposed to bauxite mining in the Eastern Ghats boycotted the public hearing held at Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam district on Friday, condemning the manner in which the hearing was conducted.

Later, a mock public hearing was conducted at Chintapalli, where leaders of various political parties, Girijans and others vehemently opposed the Government’s decision to undertake bauxite mining in Jerrela block. The decision of the State Government to undertake bauxite mining through the AP Mineral Development Corporation and supply the ore to the alumina refinery being set up by Anrak group at Makavaripalem in Visakhapatnam district was condemned by the speakers.

Security blanket

The public hearing was conducted under tight security, as Chintapalli is situated in the tribal belt where Maoists are active, and there was heavy police deployment in the two mandals of Chintapalli and G.K. Veedhi.

“The police created a curfew-like atmosphere on Friday, obstructing the Girijans opposed to the bauxite mining from reaching the venue. The official public hearing was nothing but a sham as people were not allowed to voice their opinions. At the mock hearing we conducted, Girijans in large numbers and the general public registered their protest against the bauxite mining proposal,” said Mr Ch. Narasinga Rao, the district President of the CPI(M).

Mr M. Babu Rao, the member of the Lok Sabha from Bhadrachalam constituency, of which the area is a part, presided over the mock hearing.

At the public hearing, the speakers virtually addressed empty chairs as few people were present.

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