Medha Patakar and other activists detained in Rayagada

Eminent environmentalist Medha Patkar and other activists were detained by the police at Rayagada railway station on Thursday and not allowed to address a meeting on World Environment Day at Sunger Hatapada (area where locals are opposed to bauxite mining).

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Activists Lingaraj, Narendra Mohanty and others were also detained. The activists alleged that they were asked to leave Rayagada even as Medha Patkar said she would stay here. The police took her, Lingaraj and others in a vehicle saying they would drop them in Berhampur where they are scheduled to hold a meeting on Friday, activists said.

Medha Patkar was scheduled to address a meeting at Sunger Hatapada on the World Environment Day where tribals opposed to mining operations in Sijimali were to gather. Tribals from bordering Kalahandi district were to reach the venue. An outfit named Ma Mati Surakhya Mancha is vehemently opposing the proposed mining of Sijimali.

It is learnt that the district administration apprehended breach of peace and imposed prohibitory orders at the meeting venue. The weekly village haat was however open.