Indigenous villagers in India say their consent to an Adani mine was forged

Hundreds of Indigenous people in Balda and Bannur lost land to a bauxite mine planned by Kalinga Alumina Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises. The mine will take a large part of Balda Hill, whose forests and caves at least 10 villages consider sacred.

Government documents say all 580 adults in the two villages agreed to give up their land, but villagers' photos of the meetings show about 100 people. The elected heads of both villages called the meetings invalid.

Names villagers say were forged

• People who died years ago
• A paralysed man who cannot speak
• Sheets signed for land records
• Residents protesting outside

Villagers say the consent document carries the names of people who died years ago, a paralysed man who cannot speak, and sheets signed earlier for land records. Many say they were protesting outside during the meeting.

More than 50 people have sworn affidavits saying their signatures were forged, and they have filed complaints with police and the courts. All approvals were granted on May 7, but work on the mine has not started.