Tribals of the Visakha agency today drove away the Araku MLA Mr Soma and an MPP member when they came to take the opinions of tribals of the Sarrai village in the Dumbri guda Mandalam of Visakhapatnam district over the proposed mining of china clay in the area.

Tribals, opposing the proposed mining of the china clay whose reserves are estimated to be worth more than Rs.600 Cr, are determined to ensure that mining mafia doesn’t enter the area.  Alerted by media stories that mining mafia has been trying to take control of the mining through benami names, the tribals are demanding the government to cancel the lease agreements given to some mining companies.

“If at all mining is to be allowed in the Visakha agency, that opportunity should be given to the tribals only,” demanded a tribal leader after driving away the MLA and the MPP member from the village.

The people’s representatives visited the village to take the opinion of tribals and collect their objections to the mining of china clay in the area.