Renowned Environmentalist Medha Patkar detained ahead of World Environment Day event

Rayagada, June 5: Prominent environmentalist and social activist Medha Patkar was detained by Rayagada police, hours before she was scheduled to attend a World Environment Day event in the Kashipur block of the district.

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According to sources, Patkar was intercepted by police en route to Hatpada village in Sungar, where a large public gathering was being organized by the Ma Mati Mali Suraksha Committee (Mother, Earth, and Farmer Protection Committee). The event aimed to raise awareness about environmental protection and protest ongoing mining activities in the region.

Police reportedly took Patkar to an undisclosed, secluded location and are attempting to dissuade her from attending the event. No formal arrest has been made, and no official statement has been released by the Rayagada police regarding her detention.

The Kashipur area has been a hotspot of resistance against the proposed mining at the Sijimali hills, with local tribal communities staging protests for several years. Authorities have cited concerns over law and order in the region, which has seen sporadic unrest in the past related to mining operations. Multiple activists and protestors have been arrested in recent months as tensions escalated.

Besides Patkar, several other noted activists and leaders were expected to participate in the Hatpada gathering, including environmentalist Prafulla Samantara, farmer leader Lingaraj, and Jan Andolan Coordination national convener Lingaraj Azad, along with state convener Narendra Mahanti.

Despite the police action, organizers said they would go ahead with the planned observance of World Environment Day and reiterated their call for the protection of natural