JMM to oppose hiring drive over domicile issue

DUMKA: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will oppose the BJP-led Raghubar Das government’s plan to initiate mass recruitment in various government departments. In a meeting convened on Saturday at Dumka club, members of the party’s divisional committee were unanimous on their stand to oppose the appointment drive if the state government fails to formulate a domicile policy.
JMM leaders — including present and past MLAs, district presidents and secretaries — from all the six districts of Santhal Pargana were summoned to participate in the meeting presided over by party chief Shibu Soren. They were directed to mobilize the people against the state government’s decision.
“The BJP government in the state is indifferent towards the plight of tribals and other aboriginal people. It is trying to get outsiders in government jobs even on third and fourth grade posts by initiating a recruitment drive without a domicile policy,” said Dumka district president Subhash Singh.
The issue of the new land ordinance of the Centre was also discussed in the JMM. “The ordinance is an attempt to grab the land of farmers and other classes to help corporate houses set up industries at throwaway prices,” Littipara MLA Anil Murmu said, emphasizing on the need to undo it by launching a mass agitation.
Maheshpur MLA Stephen Marandi said several tribes and aboriginal groups would be on the verge of extinction if the move of the BJP governments of the centre and the state are allowed to materialize. “On one hand, local youths would be deprived from getting employment in government jobs in the state without a domicile policy. On the other, local farmers will have no option but to hand over their land to industrialists,” Marandi said.
The district level JMM leadership also took the opportunity to register their grievances before the party chief, particularly on the defeat of party candidates in their respective assembly constituencies. “The party organization is not responsible for the defeat of the candidates. Improper selection of candidates led to the dismal performance,” said Narsingh Murmu JMM’s Deoghar district president.
JMM chief Shibu Soren, who patiently listened to the speeches of party leaders, said in his presidential speech that only JMM could enable the people to get rid of the adversities and party cadres should launch mass awareness drives to mobilize people against the ‘hidden’ motive of the BJP. “It is imperative on your part to gather at Gandhi Maidan on February 2 to mark the party’s foundation day to demonstrate JMM’s might,” he said in his brief speech.
Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included Shikaripara MLA Nalin Soren, Nala MLA Ravindra Nath Mahto, former ministers Lobin Hembrom and Hazi Hussain Ansari.