The Supreme Court’s judgement in favour of allotting Khandadhar mines to Posco is not applicable to get away free to mining in Khandadhar,” said lok Shakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Samantara on Friday.
Samantara said that there is competition among many companies for mining in the Khandadhar hills, but there is protest and resistance by local tribals against any mining in the Khandadhar area for seven years.
He said there are primitive tribals like Paudi Bhuinyas having habitat right in the Khandadhar hills which has water bodies and big waterfalls that are sources of water to the Brahmani river.
It is also a place of worship and culture of the tribals; so, it is not possible to get consent of the tribals for mining, for which the Forest Right Act must be applicable, Samantara said, adding that mining cannot be allowed without Gram Sabhas’ approval.