My name is Giridhari Patra. I am calling from Sachetan Nagrik Manch in Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district of Odisha. Here administration has started breaking jhuggis and roadside shops in the name of beautification campaign. Many people are dependent on these shops for their livelihood. Govt did this kind of work some years ago and many had to leave for different states. I will request all to intervene to stop destroying many people’s lives. For more Patra Ji can be reached at 09583022500

Giridhari Patra from Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti in Kalahandi district of Odisha says recently they organised a health camp in Niyamgiri hills and the adivasis there complained about many diseases. They also complained that these diseases are happening more because of the pollution by nearby Vedanta aluminium plant. He says these adivasis get no health support from government and NGOs and requests them to do the same. He also requests us to join them in future such health and other camps. For more Patra ji can be reached at 09938505677

Giridhari Patra from Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti in Odisha says we had a meeting yesterday where villagers complained that they are facing huge health problems due to Vedanta factory nearby. People from one village said that 22 people have died of TB in the village in last few years and they blame the pollution from company for that. Company is also polluting their water and they are facing drinking water problem. Many are developing skin diseases and company has made no health facility for villagers. They said we want company to go away. For more Giridhari ji can be reached at 09583022500

Giridhari Patra is telling us about a meeting of Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti where villagers from 50-60 villages took part. They vowed to continue their agitation even if Supreme Court allows Vedanta in the hearing on 9th April. They said supreme Court should know that Niyamgiri is the source of life for us and if Niyamgiri goes we will be finished. Giridhari requests all of us to guide them on how to fight to save their Niyamgiri and their lives. For more Giridhari ji can be reached at 09583022500

“I went to the Niyamgiri Mountain after a gap, and people drew my attention to the growing skin disease on children adults, men and women.” says Girdhari Patra. The villagers say that this is happening because of the pollution from the smoke from Vedanta factory. Giridhari Patra requests the govenrment to set up a camp, and arrange for medicines, and investigate the possibility of this being a cancerous disease. Problems inside the mouth are also showing up and this could be due to poluuted water. For more Patra ji maybe contacted at 9583022500