Much before Operation Greenhunt, people's movements have been facing repression on a sustained basis in Orissa. This state has seen struggles of different ideologies and political persuasions coming up as people's lives, livelihood and natural resources are at stake. While the question of land for the adivasis remains unaddressed by the government, protesters are often met with bullets. Against this backdrop, this article analyses how and why the popular movement in Narayanpatna, a predominantly tribal populated block in Koraput district, became so threatening to the state and local elite.
