Tragic Incident During Odisha Eviction Drive: NCST Demands Accountability

NCST Takes Action Following Tribal Man's Death

Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has requested a report from relevant authorities regarding the death of a tribal individual during a recent eviction operation in Rourkela, Odisha, according to an official announcement.

The deceased, a 35-year-old tribal activist named Ettua Ekka from Barkani village in Sundargarh district, reportedly died after being struck by an excavator involved in the construction of a railway line for the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on April 19.

In response to this incident, the NCST has taken suo-motu cognizance and issued notices to the district collector, the superintendent of police (SP), and officials from the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), demanding a factual report and details of actions taken, as stated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Thursday.

The RSP is managed by SAIL.

The tragic event occurred amidst protests by the local tribal community opposing the railway line construction extending to Dumertha.

During the demonstration, a tribal villager was tragically killed when an earth-moving vehicle ran over him, leading to unrest in the vicinity.

Reports indicate that 19 individuals, including 16 police officers, sustained injuries due to stone-throwing by protesters.

Previously, a delegation from the BJD had presented a memorandum to the NCST through its regional office in Bhubaneswar, urging intervention regarding Ekka's death.