Odisha mining project protest: Congress seeks independent probe; alleges PESA, FRA violations

The Congress on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) slammed the Centre over the protests by tribals against a bauxite mining project in Odisha's Sijimali and demanded an independent inquiry into the unrest.It also asked the government to ensure that Panchayat [Extension to Scheduled Areas] Act (PESA), 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006, are implemented both in letter and spirit.Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Odisha is no stranger to public protests by tribal and other communities when mining projects that have major ecological impacts are sought to be bulldozed, bypassing all legal and constitutional safeguards.

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