“The people resisting mining in the Sijimali Hills are not criminals,” a representative of the Human Rights Forum said. “They are cultivators, forest dwellers, labourers, women and youth seeking to protect their land, forests, water sources and constitutional rights.”

Vizag is choking. The impact is especially severe on children, the poor and elderly.

In Vizag, citizens are struggling with clogged noses, sore throats and burning, itchy eyes. Asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis and a host of pollution-induced ailments are surging at an alarming rate.