In order to avoid a 2002-like situation when the whole Jharkhand had faced a sort of civil unrest over the domicile policy proposal, the Government this time has girded up its loins to stop politically-induced vandalism and forced imposition of bandhs on people of the State. The JMM supported by the JVM and all Opposition parties have called a Jharkhand bandh on Friday in protest of passage of CNT and SPT amendment Bills, which they said was to "plunder the tribal population and take away their lands".
The Jharkhand High Court also took suo-mottu cognizance of the bandh call on Thursday and directed the State Government to arrange for video recording of the protests. It has also asked the Government to seek compensation from political parties if their workers indulged in vandalism during the bandh.
Meanwhile, Superintendants of Police across the State have been alerted to keep an eye on trouble-mongers and deploy sufficient forces at all sensitive places to avoid any untoward incident.
"Over 4000 extra force will be pumped in for security on Friday and a close eye on the hooligans will also be kept though drone cameras," said IG (Operations) and Jharkhand Police Spokesperson MS Bhatia talking to the media persons at Police Headquarters in Ranchi. He said that video recording of protesters will also be done for reference in future.
"Action will be taken against those who try to take law in their hands during bandh," said Bhatia. Extra deployment of police force will be made at Railway Stations and Bus stands to avoid incidents of arson, he added.
Bhatia further added that the SPs in the districts have been asked to deal strictly who try to forcefully impose bandh on the people. "Water cannons and tear gas will be used to disperse the crowd if needed," he said.
To deal with any violent protest expected to take place, Ranchi district administration, has imposed Section-144 in Ranchi. The SDO has issued the order that would prevent five or more persons gathering at one place and move with any kind of weapon.
After scaling the toughest barrier of its tenure so far, the BJP-led Government is in no mood of complacency. The ruling party and entire Government machinery would be used in order to "clear the air" engulfing the SPT-CNT amendments in the minds of people, especially tribals.
The party which took all its members, there were many suspicious about some of the clauses being made in the Ordinance first brought, onboard through doing adjustments in the Bills that got passed amid unforeseen pandemonium in the House on November 23, would press into action its organisation to spread awareness.
"We would tell the people that those who are opposing the provisions do not want their social and economic development. The tribal community would be only benefiting out of the changes and no one else. Once the Bills passed are notified as amendments into the SPT and CNT Acts after the due process, the party workers through its organisation at village level would be given the tasks in this regard," said BJP legislator and chief whip Radha Krishna Kishore on Thursday.
The Opposition, especially JMM is in no mood to take it lying down.
"The Friday bandh call would be massive across the State. The decision to amend the SPT and CNT laws has been taken against the wishes of the people who are on boil. We would go all out against the Government through series of protests and marches," said JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya.
Parties like JVM and Congress have also backed the bandh call. JVM supremo Babulal Marandi termed the changes made a focal point. "With this the tribals would have no option but to migrate out of their villages to other parts of the country. Their lands are going to be taken away in the name of development and commercial purposes. The party would not let this happen and we would organise rallies and public meetings throughout the State to make them understand," said the ex-Chief Minister.
The JVM would register its protest against the amendments before the Governor and the President apart from hitting the streets back home. Congress has also backed the move.