Mediating between the Indian State and the Primitive Tribes, under Neo-Liberalism: A Conflict resolution perspective to Resistance Movements

Paper Abstract: The proposed paper is based on empirical studies of two resistance movements, held at Lanjigarh (anti-Vedanta) and Kashipur (anti-UAIL) directed against mining based development projects in the Indian state of Odisha during 1990s to 2020s. These two involved violent protests by the local tribals against the state Govt. and project MNCs. The violent protests by the tribals provoked the state Govt. to unleash severe  coercive measures against the tribals (as estranged 'other'). Both the movements were lead by strong SMOs and were fueled by civil society organizations. The conflicting parties spread class antagonism for decades. The resultant protests are found to be centered around issues, like: (i) loss of livelihood, (ii) Displacement, (iii) Loss of access to CPR, (iv) Landlessness, (v) Loss of cultural identity, (vi) Social disarticulation, (vii) Environmental pollution and ecological degradation and (viii) Marginalization. These findings verified the IRR model of Cernea (1997). 
The paper in lieu of the class struggle perspective, uses a conflict resolution perspective . Hence it identifies  suitable conflict resolution approaches, such as; (i) adequate R&R measures and the subsequent CSR  measures on an ongoing basis, (ii) resorting to legal means through the invocation of PESA 2006, (iii) sharing the MNC equities with the tribals  as partners of development in their territory, (iv)  participatory way, involving the tribals in R&R measures, environmental/ ecological  conservation
measures. 
The paper resolves that where conflict resolution took place the project was withdrawn (movement succeeded)  and where it did not take place the project was commissioned (movement failed).