Bhubaneswar, June 22: Former chief minister Giridhar Gamang on Friday said demanded that gram sabha meetings be held at all the villages in the proposed mining belt of Niyamgiri hills.

According to a Supreme Court directive, gram sabhas are to decide whether mining will be allowed in Niyamgiri.

The order said the sabhas would be held under the supervision of two district judges of Kalahandi and Rayagada.

Gamang said: “The state government should not misinterpret the apex court’s judgment in this regard and confine the meetings of gram sabhas to 12 villages only.”

He added: “The Constitution has already spelled out measures for the protection of tribals’ rights.

“It has been clearly enshrined in the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act.

“If any attempt is made to violate the principles, it will be challenged in the court of law,” he said.