According to reports received by People's Voice, persons displaced by the Utkal Alumina project in Kashipur from Kendukhunti, Tala Karol and Ramibeda villages have been on dharna since February 27, at the plant site. Residents of 24 other villages affected by the UAIL project are reported to have joined the protestors. They are demanding a better price for the land that has been forcibly seized from them, proper rehabilitation and alternative sources of livelihood. As a result of this action, they have been able to successfully halt the construction work that had been started by the company in December 2004.

The people displaced by the Utkal Alumina Internaitonal Limited ( UAIL) project have been valiantly resisting their eviction and the forcible acquisition of their land. They have written letters to the Chief Minister highlighting their plight. They have fought pitched battles with the police and state authorities and suffered many a gross violation of human rights. The ongoing dharna is one of the most recent manifestations of their struggle.

UAIL is wholly owned by Hindalco-Aditya Birla Group.The construction work started by the Hindalco-Aditya Birla group has been reported to be illegal, since they have not got the mandatory permission from the Ministry of environment, mining and other concerned government departments. The permission given to them for five years lapsed in the year 2000 and has not been renewed since. Nevertheless, thanks to the support of the state government and the police, in brutally attacking the resistance of the displaced villagers, the Hindalco-Aditya Birla group has managed to continue its construction work till now. .

Undaunted by the threats of arrest by the police and state administration and the enforced media blackout of any news of the struggle in Kashipur, the victims of the UAIL project are determined to continue their struggle for their rights. In this they have the whole-hearted support and solidarity of the people resisting land acquisition in different parts of the country as well as all those who stand opposed to the attempts of the state to satisfy the greed for super profits of the big Indian and foreign monopoly companies at the expense of the lives and livelihood of the masses of people.