The Ranchi administration has agreed to return the stone plaque laid at Piska More by various tribal organisations to rename it as Kartik Oraon Chowk with honour. The decision was taken during a meeting between Ranchi Deputy Commissioner and representatives of Sarna Community led by former ministers Bandhu Tirkey and Geetashree Oraon along with her husband Arun Oraon, which took place at the DC office on Wednesday following a dispute which erupted on Ranchi-Gumla Road on Tuesday.
“We have assured them that the stone plaque which was removed from Piska More in the light of Supreme Court order banning fresh encroachment of roads, pavements and sideways by construction of religious structures or installation of statues of public figures will be returned to them with honour which will be placed at the nearby Sarna ground,” said DC Manoj Kumar. The feelings expressed by the tribal community regarding renaming of Piska More will also be conveyed to the Urban Development Department and Ranchi Municipal Corporation so that proper action could be taken in this regard, he added.
Following a dispute that erupted here at Piska More after the district administration removed the stone plaque on Tuesday laid by a group of tribal community on Sunday, people became violent and went on the rampage damaging several vehicles and also blocked the road for several hours. The administration also had to apply lathi-charge to disperse the crowd following which they sat on dharna led by former ministers Bandhu Tirkey and Geetashree Oraon demanding to replace the stone plaque at its place. The dharna was called off only after the administration gave them an assurance to look into it.
Tirkey, who was leading the tribal delegation, also asserted that the talks were cordial and the administration has agreed to the demand made by them to hand over the stone plaque back to them.
“The Supreme Court order will not be applicable here as the verdict had come in the year 2016 while renaming of Piska More was notified in the year 2008 when I was a Minister in the State Government,” claimed Tirkey. They, however, have agreed to return the stone plaque with honour which will be placed near Piska More, he added.
“The stone plaque will be placed near Piska More by the administration in the presence of Pahan and other religious gurus but the name of that chowk will remain Kartik Oraon Chowk at any cost,” he said.
A consensus has also been reached between the administration and the tribal groups to review the FIR lodged in this regard so that leniency could be adopted for those who were not directly involved in it.