Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay on Monday joined the protests launched by the Kute villagers to oppose the foundation stone for the proposed building of the State Assembly on Tuesday by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Soren was trying till late evening to find a solution to the problem in a meeting with the villagers.
Promising to fight for the cause of the villagers, Sahay said that the core capital should be established outside the ring road as has been done in the other States. Citing examples of other states like Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Haryana and Gujarat, the MP said that the core capital should not come under the jurisdiction of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. “If the administrators think seriously, there is huge land available outside Ranchi which could be developed like Banjar Hills in Hyderabad,” added Sahay.
He alleged that the land prices are enhanced by the land mafias in the name of Greater Ranchi and core capital under a conspiracy. Sahay appealed to the government not to play with the sentiments of the raiyyats and find some other way out. “I also told the CM not to do this or I will protest the move along with my people, he said. He announced that he will also be sitting on dharna at 9 am on Tuesday against the foundation stone laying ceremony by the CM.
The villagers after getting no response from the Chief Minister, are sitting on dharna since Monday joined by several other politicians from different political parties including Ranchi MP Sahay. Interestingly, Sahay’s name also figured among the names of the dignitaries who are to take part in the stone laying ceremony for the proposed Assembly building. He however, said t that it was included without his knowledge.
“Establishment of Core Capital on the lands of displaced people will not be acceptable and I am with the people in the battle for their rights,” said Sahay.
The villagers are also ready to fight the battle till death against the injustice being done to them. “If the government does not still take the issue seriously and resolve it immediately, we will sleep on the road before CM’s convoy not allowing him to move towards the stone laying site,” said a protester Pankaj Shahdeo.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday during a meeting with the Kute villagers had sought two days time assuring that their interests will be taken care of and no one will be deprived of his land for the construction of the proposed Assembly building. A delegation of 11 persons from Kute, Jagannathpur, Tiril and other adjoining villages along with Hatia MlA Naveen Jaiswal had placed their demands and explained the ground reality before the CM.
The villagers basically have placed three demands before the government -- to leave the villages in the present condition secondly, 25 per cent of their lands should be left with the villagers to make living and lastly, 30 per cent of the job openings out of the construction and establishment of government offices should be secured for the displaced villagers.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren called a meeting with the protesters in the evening to resolve the issue which was attended by Hatia MlA Naveen Jaiswal, former Deputy Mayor Ajay Nath Shahdeo and other leaders which continued till late evening on Monday.