More than 1,500 tribals under the banner of the Bisthapan Birodhi Jan Manch (BBJM) on Friday organised a rally at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district to observe ‘Shaheed Divas’ for the 14 tribals who had been killed in the police firing on this day in 2006.
Family members of the 14 slain tribals also joined the protest meeting against the Tata Steel project.
Tribals led by Ravindra Jarika and Amar Singh Banara marched from the “Martyrs’ Column” in Champakoila village to Veerbhumi at Ambagadia where the victims were cremated and paid tributes to the “martyrs”.
Earlier in the day, family members and relatives of the victims of police firing offered flowers and oil in a ritual called diridulsunum.
“We will continue with our struggle for our rights over Jala, Jungle Jami (Water, Forest and land),” said a protestor.
As many as six platoons of police were deployed to maintain law and order situation. The Kalinganagar ASP and Tehsildars of Sukinda and Danagadi kept direct watch on their activities, sources said. It may be noted that 14 tribals had died in the police firing while protesting land acquisition by the Tata Steel plant. A police constable was also killed in the clash.