... We are deeply concerned that the notification for the public hearing has been issued at a time when people of the area have been terrorized by the local police and employees of a private agency, allegedly engaged by Vedanta... Since the beginning of August as many as 5 cases have been filed against the villagers of the affected villages... At the time of the issuing of the notification more than twenty people from the affected villages of the were already jailed. Prior to the arrests, the police carried out mid-night raids in a number of villages, picking up people indiscriminately and allegedly tortured many before producing them in the court. A large number of people are in hiding for fear of being arrested anytime. Raids and other forms of intimidation continue in the area even now...

In view of the above facts and concerns, we urge the State Pollution Control Board to cancel the proposed public hearing scheduled on October 16. We also urge the EAC to address the above concerns and reexamine the EIA report submitted by the project proponent before recommending environmental clearance for the project...