The State-wide bandh called by various tribal groups on Tuesday over their demands regarding domicile policy remained largely peaceful with ‘no noticeable incidents’. Nevertheless, it crippled normal life as shops remained closed and streets deserted during the day.
Members of Adivasi Jan Parishad, Adivasi Moolvasi Janadhikar Manch and around 30 other tribal organisations took to the streets with their demands of making Khatiyaan the basis for domicile policy. Several political and non-political outfits voiced their support in the bandh.
life moved at a slow pace in all districts of Jharkhand during the course of the bandh. Classes were suspended in schools to avoid any inconvenience to students coming from or going to their homes. People had to face problems due to lesser public transport vehicles running. But no untowardly incident was registered anywhere, informed senior police officials.
Tyres were burnt in loadih locality of Namkum in Ranchi by bandh enforcers to stop traffic, but no other incident came to pass during the day. Ranchi police detained some tribal leaders and students, but as precautionary measures, stated Senior Superintendent of Police (Ranchi) Prabhat Kumar.
“The leaders and some students picked up from Adivasi Hostel are being released as of now. Apart from them, 222 bandh supporters were taken into custody,” he added.
Rest of the state didn’t see any arrests made or violent outbreaks, stated police officials of various districts. “Magistrates and police forces were strategically deployed to check any violent outbreaks. But everything was normal all over district,” said Saraikela SP Indrajeet Mahatha.
long distance transport was sparsely hit by the bandh. “The movement of long-distance buses and trucks was partially affected. Only a few buses did not run during the bandh. Rest followed their usual schedule,” said transport organisation leader Uday Shankar Ojha.
Meanwhile, the organisations behind convening the bandh called it successful in conveying their demands to Government and people of the state. “The bandh remained successful in all districts of the state. Our demands were understood by the public and they supported it,” stated Prem Shahi Munda, president of Adivasi Jan Parishad, one of the participating tribal organisations.
On their reaction if called by state government for talks over their demands, Munda stated, “There have been dialogues between us over domicile policy in the past and were assured that it will be brought into effect on this Statehood Day. But the state government failed to do so. There is no scope for discussion anymore, and if state government wishes to discuss the matter further, it should be on the floor of the House.”