The JMM observed slain leader Nirmal Mahto’s 72nd  birth anniversary on Sunday. Floral tribute was paid to the statue of the departed leader, who was gunned down in 1987 in front of the Chamaria guest house at Bistupur area here. A huge rally was also organised at Ulyan, the birth place of Mahto, this afternoon. Led by CM Hemant Soren senior leaders paid tributes to the slain leader.

Various functions were organised across the city where senior leaders of JMM paid homage to their leader Mahto.

A prayer meeting was organised near Nirmal Mahto’s memorial at Uliyan in Kadma. After the prayer meeting, JMM supporters accompanied by their leaders paid floral tributes to Mahto.

 Transport minister Champai Soren, and Health Minister Banna Gupta was also present on the occasion. The health minister said that the state is making progress in manifolds under the able leadership of Hemant Soren.

Addressing the gathering of the supporters at Kadma, CM  said, “The need of the hour is to work genuinely for the development of the state as Nirmal Da laid his life for the creation of a separate state to make tribals of this region earn livelihood with dignity.”

Soren said: “ The Government in the State would ensure over all development of Jharkhand. We have launched several development project that would help in improving the present living standard of the people of Jharkhand.”

In his address he reiterated  that the present Hemant Soren government is serious about the creation of Jharkhand based on Nirmal da's dreams. Work is being done rapidly in that direction. It is the moral duty of every Jharkhandis to take a pledge to make Jharkhand their dreams by remembering them on this day.

 Earlier, Minister Champai Soren paid homage to the late Nirmal Da's statue installed at the Chamaria Guest House main gate and paid his respects.

He said that the State is making progress in every field and work that couldn't take place  in the last 20 years is being done by them now.

The gathering this year was relatively high with people from Odisha and West Bengal coming in huge numbers, a first of its kind in recent years, while, party members from districts like Dumka, Sahebjang and Pakur too, have turned up in impressive strength.

Mahto maintained that with the increase in the reach of Nirmal Da's ideology amongst the party workers of neighbouring states particularly, West Bengal and Odisha their turnout is on increase over the years.