3 statehood activists held after 16 years

HAZARIBAG: At the time of formation of the separate state of Jharkhand in 2000, its first chief minister Babulal Marandi followed by successive governments including that of Shibu Soren and Hemant Soren, had announced that all the statehood activists and party members, particularly of Jharkhan Mukti Morcha, which spearheaded the movement would be rewarded for their sacrifices.
But as per reports received here on Wednedday, no steps were taken by the Jharkhand government either to rehabilitate the Jharkhan Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists or withdraw the cases lodged against them by the then Bihar Government.
According to the charge sheet submitted by Mandu police in Hazaribag court, in all 22 JMM activists were punished under Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) declaring them as absconders.
Accordingly, the Mandu police of Ramgarh district has now issued warrants for their failure to appear before police vide case no 494/98 after obtaining the order from the court.
Of the 22, three activists viz Hiralal Mahto, Manohar Thakur and Premnath Mahto ? all of JMM and hailing from Ghato under Mandu police station then in Hazaribag and now in Ramgarh ? were sent to jail on Wednesday following their arrest by the Mandu police .
Expressing strong resentment over this action of both the Hazaribag and Ramgarh police, Chandranath Bhai Patel, a former JMM activist and now a member of the central committee of JVM(P) besides being an advocate himself took up the cases of the above named activists to draw the attention of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and demanded withdrawal of cases against the JMM activists who participated in the movement for separate Jharkhand.
He also demanded that action be initiated against the guilty police officers for punishing these statehood activists of the party that spearhaeded the movement.
Patel told newsmen here that since the state election will be taking place sometime in November, his party JVM(P) will make the failure of the government to withdraw cases against those who participated in the movement for separate statehood for Jharkhand one of the issues here.