While the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, supported by opposition parties, is planning an insistent exhibit of dissatisfaction with the new State Domicile Policy through a statewide bandh on Saturday, administrative and law enforcement authorities in the State capital are putting every measure in place to foil any violent show of dissent on the occasion.
Prohibitory orders will be in effect in Ranchi during the course of bandh. Section 144 has been imposed by Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer Aditya Anand, effective from 2 pm on Thursday till further notice, from Ranchi Club to Shaheed Chowk and in Circular Road, forbidding protests, processions, effigy burning and such activities along these stretches.
Any damage to public property will incite legal action as per provisions of Property Destruction and Damage Prevention Act, 2016, stated Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar. Those booked under this Act will have to face penalties and rigorous imprisonment for the term of six months to 10 years along with paying for the damage done.
“Officers in-Charge have been asked to keep an eye on known trouble-mongers. Our primary concern is to prevent cases of road blocking and arson. Extra force and Quick Response Teams will be present in Ranchi to handle any likely possibility that may arise. We are trying to create an environment that all protests should be conducted in a peaceful manner,” stated Superintendent of Police (City) Kishore Kaushal.
Ranchi police and district administration have identified sensitive spots of the city and probable trouble-mongers to keep both of them in check. As per orders issued by Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma, demonstrations on Saturday will be recorded on video to identify hooligans. She has ordered to keep the crucial roadways and railways free from interference due to of bandh. Verma has called for specific focus on universities and hostels considering the recruitment of college students as bandh enforcers. “The city has been divided in zones and adequate police force and magistrates will be dispatched in each of them to maintain peace. Birsa Munda Football Stadium will be converted into camp jail for detained bandh supporters. Prohibitory orders will be enforced in Ranchi from morning,” informed Kumar.
More than 100 magistrates and thousands of Rapid Action Force and armed police forces personnel will be keeping the peace in the city. Ambulances and fire engines will be kept on standby to address any emergency that might emerge during the bandh. Cranes have also been arranged to tow away vehicles in the event of their tyres being deflated by bandh supporters to block highways.
District police has also pinpointed the probable troublemakers and preventive actions will be completed against them by Friday. “Individuals who are likely to create havoc will be asked to fill bonds that they will refrain from participating in any destructive activities. As for rural regions, specific focus will be on Silli and Mandar blocks and these will be overseen by Rural SP hinself,” stated the Ranchi DC.