Raigarh. Authorities arrested Vidhyawati Sidar, the Lailunga MLA, for joining villagers in their demonstration against the ongoing felling of trees in the Mudagaon region and nearby forests. The core issue revolves around a coal mine allocated to an industrial entity, with the associated deforestation sparking significant opposition from the local populace.
Villagers from over a dozen villages have been vocal in their opposition to the deforestation, protesting for the last month. The MLA’s solidarity with the villagers, which resulted in her arrest, has intensified the local dissent.
The deforestation is part of an industrial initiative in the Tamnar area’s Mudagaon, supported by a considerable police presence. The local community emphasizes the significance of the lush forests and rich biodiversity in the area, both in maintaining environmental equilibrium and sustaining the livelihoods of tribal communities.