Opposition demand judicial probe into Khunti firing

RANCHI: United opposition comprising Congress, JVM(P), JD(U), CPI, SP, RJD and MCC convened a joint press conference here on Monday and demanded a judicial probe into the incident of police firing in Saiko Khunti, in which one person was killed and several were injured.
The leaders demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family members of Abraham Munda, who was killed in the firing.
Former union minister and Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay accused the government of hatching a conspiracy against the tribal agitators.
"The government forcefully wanted to prevent the people from joining the rally in Ranchi on October 22 and imposed prohibitory orders in several parts of the state," he said.
Sahay also alleged the firing was unprovoked and was aimed at creating terror among those who tried to raise their voice against the government.
Former chief minister and JVM(P) chief Babulal Marandi said the government machinery has irked the tribal community and now the entire administration has planned to foil any attempts of demonstrations against the government.
"Whether it was the rally or proposed statewide bandh, the government has misused its civil and police administration to forcibly stop tribal protesters from showcasing its strength," he said.
The opposition leaders met DGP DK Pandey last Friday and asked him to abstain from carrying out false arrests.
"We had visited Saiko village in Khunti and found two versions of the story which were told to us by the police and the locals; this only indicates the police are cooking up a false story," he said.
United opposition has decided to hold another meeting at Bihar club on Tuesday to decide the further course of action.
Meanwhile, Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, an umbrella organisation of tribal social groups, called for burning of effigies of chief minister Raghubar Das in various parts of the state, from block to panchayat level, on November 8.
"We want people to demonstrate against the government wherever they are and under whatever banner possible so that the message is clear that decisions regarding amendments to CNT and SPT act and announcement of policy defining locals is unacceptable to the masses," Tirkey said.
Last week, the tribals protested against the Jharkhand Government's tribal policies during the 'Adivasi Akrosh Maharally' at Morahabadi grounds. The tribals vehemently criticised Das government for being dictatorial in subverting democratic rights of the people besides tampering with century-old land protection rights of the tribal.