KORAPUT: Tribals protesting against bauxite mining in their area reportedly attacked a senior official of a private company and damaged his vehicle at Lakharsi village in Rayagada district on Wednesday.
Tension erupted when the official of Hindalco, which has been granted mining lease at Lakharsi bauxite plateau, reached the village for a survey work around 3 pm. "The villagers have been opposing mining in the area fearing loss of livelihood. The villagers had heated exchanges with the official and assaulted him besides damaging his vehicle," said a source. Police reached the spot and rescued the official, he added.
"There was a minor scuffle between the villagers and the company official. The situation is now under control and no case has been lodged from either side," said IIC of Kashipur police station K C Burda said.
Mining officials at the deputy director of mines office in Koraput said, though Hindalco had got the lease for mining the plateau in 2006-07, it is yet to start operations following stiff resistance from them.