Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Friday supported the Opposition demand of judicial probe into police firing at Barkagaon on October 1, in which four people lost their lives.
At the same time, he defended the State Government’s approach on land acquisition policy, and came down heavily on local Opposition leaders, accusing them of playing multiple cards and misguiding innocent locals.
Sinha also appeared upset over charges levelled by Congress Rajya Sabha member Pradeep Balmuchu, of being a partner in Triveni Sainik Company, which has been assigned to carry on excavation activities in Chirudih by NTPC. He challenged Balmuchu to either prove the charge, or be ready to face a defamation case in Hazaribagh.
He expressed his grief on police firing incident, calling it unfortunate. He said that his deepest sympathy was with the families of those who died in the firing. He also said that the State Government had been doing its best to provide compensation against death and wound.
“What happened in Barkagaon is condemnable. My deepest sympathy remains with families affected. But I strongly believe after initial reports coming from there that some people were continuously misguiding local land-owners for their petty politics and other possible economic benefits. The Opposition was busy in contradictory activities with demanding a better compensation against land in one hand, and opposing land acquisition on the other hand. This is not a wise move of the opposition, not at least in favour of local people,” claimed Sinha.
“It is evident now that the opposition-fed criminals were playing from behind, keeping innocent locals at front. life of Government officials, including that of policemen was put in danger by local MlA Nirmala Devi, who is still absconding. If she claims to be clean, she must not remain underground,” said Sinha. He also supported ban on Jharkhand Tiger Group, allegedly led by Nirmala Devi’s husband and ex-MlA Yogender Sao, which is said to have a major role in provoking crowd to attack government officials present there at the scene.
He reiterated the State Government’s stand of not acquiring even a single inch of land without consent of land owners. “Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package being offered by the present government is much better than one offered against acquisition by CCl. Proper compensation, pension and assured jobs are something which locals are satisfied with, and want to avail. But there are shady characters and opposition leaders to misguide them,” claimed Sinha.
Senior State BJP leader Deepak Prakash also took opposition leaders and ex-CM duo Babulal Marandi and Hemant Soren on. He said that people faced bullets at their chest for agitating against their land acquisition policies. “They just look back what they did in the past. They have lost rights to speak for local people. Ours is a people-friendly government, which believes in a collaborative development,” said Prakash.
However, Sinha denied to react on questions related to involvement of the local administration, which allegedly ignited an unfortunate event by going to search Nirmala Devi at night, that also little over mid-night. He said that the enquiry was on, and truth must prevail. “This is why I also voice for judicial enquiry,” claimed Sinha.