January 2007-Tribal people campaign against proposed bauxite mining in the hills of Andhra Pradesh

Since last year the new government in the state has tried to force the tribal people to agree to the mining. With false promises of jobs the government has been taking youth for training in mining activities while the adivasi (tribal) women have been strongly opposing such moves. The women are clearly saying that the mining will not get them economic sustenance nor retain their social cohesion as with the traditional farming, coffee plantations and forest produce that are in abundance in this area. The constant intimidation from the agents of the mining companies and local government and police officials has not deterred the women from conducting rallies, press meets and protest meetings. Using the legal instrument of right to self-rule, women from threatened villages passed resolutions that they will not part with their lands for mining. Gearing up to face this opposition, government has been recruiting tribal youth as tribal police battalions in the guise of bringing peace to this politically disturbed area. While mainstream political parties have been wavering between support to the tribal people and demanding proper rehabilitation, the women are singular in their demands - no mining for us. The Indian company, Jindal South West Ltd (JSWL), which is contesting for the mineral extraction, is using all means of muscle and money to get its hand on the ore. While it is well known that the company has entered into a secret MoU with the government of Andhra Pradesh and the company itself publicly admitted to the deal, the attempts to make the lease 'legitimate' through influencing policy changes on tribal and mineral laws is going on discreetly. In mid-February the proposal comes up for clearance in front of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The threat gets more serious.