Many schools, businesses to remain closed

Ostensibly peeved over the planned attack on villagers in Chanho and similar incidents that have taken place in and around Ranchi recently, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alongwith several other groups has called Ranchi bandh today. The bandh though claimed to be peaceful, several private schools and businesses in the city would remain closed fearing any untoward incident on Thursday.

“We are fully prepared for tomorrow’s peaceful bandh. Around a dozen and half organizations are supporting it. This bandh is called by social organizations in form of public anger against the anti-social activities of some groups active in the  state and also against the administration that is giving rise to such activities,” said Ganga Prasad Yadav, a senior state member of the VHP.

According to Yadav the state was in the grip of a particular group of land-mafia, who were forcibly capturing tribal people’s land and because of vote-bank politics no political party was ready to take action on them.

“This has not only happened in Chanho. Similar incidents have taken place in Ratu and other areas near Ranchi and across the state. But the State Government has kept mum. By giving shelter to these mafia groups government might be inadvertently giving rise to terror activities in the state,” he said.

Citing an example Yadav added that the land mafia has captured around 250 acres of land near the Ranchi lake but no one was there to say anything to them. “Can the government explain how 5000 houses have been made in the area on tribal landIJ” he asked.

The VHP’s bandh is supported by Bajrang Dal, ABVP, Sarna Samiti, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh, Hindu Navyuvak Sangh and many other small organizations. The bandh supporters claim that the bandh has been called against the administrative apathy towards protecting the people of the State from the group of mafias.

Meanwhile, police have said that they would try to keep the situation under control. City SP Anoop Birtharay, “Magistrates will be deputed at every square and all police station in-charge have been asked to use the services of videographer to help identifying mischief-mongers. We have adequate security forces to ensure peaceful bandh”.