The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has called for a Statewide bandh on Saturday to express its dissent over the provisions of local policy recently announced by the State Government. Supported by the Congress, left-wing political parties and many more, the JMM is expecting an effective bandh across the State.
The bandh supporters conducted a torchlight procession in Ranchi, but kept to areas exempted from
prohibitory orders – Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Circular Road. Several motorcycle-ridden JMM supporters, wielding traditional weapons and party banners, were seen speeding through city streets, appealing denizens to enforce the bandh.
Meanwhile, authorities have also pulled up their socks to nip any violent outbursts in the bud. Instructions to prepare for the event from the top echelon of Jharkhand Government had been doing the rounds since this week began. In a meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma had ordered to minimise the damage by the doing of bandh supporters and deal with trouble-mongers with a firm hand.
Kolhan region, where JMM holds significant sway, is expected to be one of the most disturbed parts of Jharkhand. District authorities of West Singhbhum sat down once again on Friday to assess their preparations and make required adjustments to them.
In Ranchi, DC Manoj Kumar, SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi and other SP-rank police officials briefed the magistrates and Officers in-Charge of the State capital about the measures put in place considering the bandh. Around 100 magistrates and thousands of police and paramilitary forces will take up positions against bandh enforcers in the State capital. A flag march was also conducted in crucial parts of the city.
Hazaribagh DC Mukesh Kumar and SP Akhilesh Jha stated that no one will be allowed to disrupt traffic or close the shops and other organisations forcefully. Some sensitive sites in Hazaribagh where bandh supporters can try to block the road have been identified and forces will be on alert, with static deployment at some points.
Meanwhile, several political leaders from parties convening the bandh have been detained as a deterrent. JMM MlA from Torpa Paulus Surin was arrested for holding a torchlight procession in his constituency, flouting prohibitory orders. Eight JMM leaders were arrested from Bokaro too.
Several JMM activities were also arrested from East Singhbhum as precautionary measure. Additionally, according to sources, JMM MlAs Kunal Sarangi and Ramdas Soren have gone into hiding to draw their strategies without interference from police forces.
The Property Destruction and Damage Prevention Act, 2016 will be put to good use, district officials across the State have assured. Protestors found guilty of damaging public property will be liable for monetary penalties and rigorous imprisonment for a term of six months to ten years.
Section 144 has been imposed in every district of Jharkhand expecting trouble from bandh supporters. Video recording of demonstrations will be done for help on identifying agitators who indulge in anything unlawful during the bandh. “Those identified will have to face legal action, one the same day or later, without exception,” ADG (Operations) and Jharkhand police spokesman SN Pradhan said.