Hindalco Protest Enters 12th Day in Gumla, Villagers Stop Bauxite Transport Amid Heavy Rain

The protest by villagers from mining-affected areas against Hindalco continued for the 12th consecutive day on Friday, with demonstrators remaining at the dharna site despite heavy rain and strong winds.

The protesters stopped vehicles carrying bauxite from passing through the area, while allowing passenger vehicles, private vehicles and other public traffic to move normally.

The villagers said they were continuing their agitation because the assurances given during a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office had not yet translated into visible action on the ground.

Eight-Day Assurance, Ten Days Later Still Waiting

Suraj Kumar Nayak, who is leading the agitation, said Hindalco management had sought around a week during discussions at the Deputy Commissioner’s office to address the problems raised by the affected villagers.

According to the protesters, they were assured that work on the identified issues would begin within eight days. However, they said nearly 10 days had passed without any visible work beginning, increasing dissatisfaction among the villagers.

The protesters maintained that their agitation was peaceful and was not aimed at disrupting general public movement. They said their objection was specifically to bauxite transportation and the alleged delay in addressing problems in mining-affected villages.

Roads, Water, Education and Jobs Among Key Demands

The villagers have raised issues related to roads, drinking water, education, healthcare and employment. They alleged that bauxite continues to be transported from the area while basic facilities in villages affected by mining remain inadequate.

At the protest site, villagers questioned why transportation of minerals could continue regularly while work on roads, drinking water, education, healthcare and employment in affected villages was still awaiting implementation.

Bauxite Trucks Stopped, General Traffic Allowed

On Friday, protesters prevented bauxite-laden trucks from proceeding but did not obstruct passenger vehicles, other motorists or pedestrians.

The villagers said the restriction would remain in place until work begins on the issues discussed during the earlier meeting. They maintained that bauxite transportation would continue to face opposition until the assurances made to them are implemented on the ground.

Protesters Remain at Site Despite Heavy Rain

Heavy rain and strong winds on Friday did not persuade the villagers to leave the protest site. The protesters said they were no longer seeking fresh assurances but wanted to see concrete work begin in the affected areas.

Raising the slogan “Our minerals, but when will we get facilities?”, the villagers said development in mining-affected areas should not remain limited to assurances on paper.

They warned that the agitation could be intensified if the earlier commitments are not implemented soon.