Raipur: Tribals in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district finally ended their agitation on its the seventh day, after the administration agreed to all their demands. They were protesting against mining on a hill in the Bailadila range, which they worship as a deity.
Earlier on June 7, tribals in the area had launched an indefinite protest against mining in deposit no.13 in Bailadila, where one of the hills is revered as the shrine of Pitod Devi, wife of nature god Nandraj.
The tribals agreed to end their agitation after the administration gave them written assurance that a probe will be launched within 15 days, to examine the alleged fake gram sabha held in 2014 that gave nod to the mining project.
However, the tribals have made it clear that they would reignite their agitation if the probe does not commence within 15 days.
Tensions mounted today morning after a large number of security personnel were stationed at the protest site. The administration had also given the tribals a final notice to call off their protest by 2 pm.
The 10 MTPA capacity Bailadila iron ore deposit-13 was being developed by a joint venture company called NCL, formed by NMDC and the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation.
A contract for excavation and mine development was awarded to Adani Enterprises Limited last year when the BJP was in power in the state, an official had earlier said.
Following the protests, all activity related to mining was stalled in Bailadila hills. The Chhattisgarh forest department also set up a three-member committee to probe the alleged illegal deforestation for proposed iron ore mining in the hill range.
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