Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Anti-displacement group seeks Odisha Governor's intervention for tribal land rights
A group called Lok Shakti Abhiyan is fighting to protect tribal people's land in Odisha, India.
They say the government is taking land from tribal families to give to a cement company.
The group's leader, Prafulla Samantara, wrote to the Odisha Governor, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, asking for help.
He says the government is breaking the law and the constitution by taking the land without asking the tribal people or their local council.
The group wants the Governor to investigate and stop the land from being taken.
Lok Shakti Abhiyan opposes the alleged forcible land acquisition of tribal agricultural land in Lanjiberna village, Sundargarh district, Odisha.
The land is being acquired for a cement manufacturing company, with actions taken under the cover of night using JCB machines and heavy police deployment.
The group alleges violations of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act of 2013 and the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
No prior consent was sought from the Gram Sabha, nor was there meaningful dialogue with the affected landholders.
The group has sought the intervention of the Odisha Governor to initiate a high-level inquiry into the violation of tribal land rights.
- Who
- Lok Shakti Abhiyan, tribal families in Lanjiberna village, Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
- What
- Forcible land acquisition for a cement manufacturing company, violation of land rights
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- Lanjiberna village, Sundargarh district, Odisha
- Why
- To protect tribal land rights and seek intervention against alleged violations
- Organization
- Lok Shakti Abhiyan
- Location
- Lanjiberna village, Sundargarh district, Odisha
- Company Involved
- Dalmia Company
- Act Violated
- Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act of 2013
- Constitutional Protection
- Fifth Schedule of the Constitution
- Governor
- Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
- Action Taken
- Forcible land acquisition using JCB machines and heavy police deployment
- Request
- High-level inquiry into the violation of tribal land rights