Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay has condemned the police firing at Saiko in Khunti on Saturday. Demanding a judicial probe into the incident and others taken place at Gola and Barkagaon on earlier occasions the leader alleged that the ruling party was behaving in cruel manner.
“Four innocent persons were killed in Barkagaon, whereas two others lost their lives at Gola. Yesterday’s event has proved that either the police has become or been made killer in the State. Women were tortured at wee hours in Barkagaon. Deaf and dumb CM is not able to run the State. The Congress Party demands a judicial probe into all three police firings,” said Sahay in a press conference organised by the party on Sunday.
Sahay said that it was probably the first time in the State that the citizens and adivasis were being forced to keep their mouth shut. “Everyone has the right to express his version about anything. But the Government seems not accustomed with listening to the other side. Adivasis coming to Ranchi for agitation on Saturday were being detained at various places with policemen behaving in cruel manner, which resulted in protest against them in Khunti,” said Sahay. He also alleged the Government of trying to create a new division in the society on the name of Christianity and Sarna.
The Congress also organised protest and agitation programmes at smaller scales in Panchayats and Blocks across the state on Saturday and Sunday to unite people to support statewide bandh called by united opposition on Monday. Under this, Sahay took part in a rally from Sainik Market to Albert Ekka Chowk in the city on Sunday evening with a number of opposition leaders.
It also thanked ex-CM Hemant Soren for offering JMM support to bandh on Sunday. When asked why JMM took so much time to offer its support, Sahay said that it was not that much import. “Important thing is that he took a wise decision to support the bandh, which is being supported by CPI, CPM, Forward Block, NSUI, RJD, JDU and all other parties in opposition,” said Sahay.
The congress has also begged support from Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) for bandh. Sahay said that the trader fraternity was also left struggling in the State and this fight was of and for them equally. However, the chamber had not opened its cards by Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Congress leader of Opposition in Assembly Alamgir Alam went to RIMS on Sunday to meet the injured people in Khunti firing. He accused the government of trying to impose the interests of RSS and corporate companies on the innocent people of the State.