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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
J'khand bandh disrupts city life, biz incur losses
Ranchi: A statewide Jharkhand Bandh called by several tribal organisations brought parts of Ranchi to a standstill on Wednesday, with the epicentre of protest being the controversial ramp of the Siramtoli flyover. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Protesters alleged that the ramp has encroached upon a Sarna religious site and demanded its immediate removal, citing it as an attack on indigenous identity and sacred traditions. Hundreds of protestors, led by outfits such as the Adivasi Bachao Morcha, marched from Line Tank Road to Albert Ekka Chowk and called on the shopkeepers to down their shutters. The 12-hour bandh, which began at 6 am, disrupted traffic in Lalpur, Dibdih, and Kutchery Chowk, while roadblocks and demonstrations occurred at Piska More and Jail More. In Kanke, effigies were burnt as a symbolic protest. In Boreya, tyres were set ablaze to block roads. Police personnel baton-charged on demonstrators to disperse them from Hinoo Chowk in a bid to clear the road. The demonstrators at least four people were hurt in the lathi charge. Ranchi's business community also bore the brunt of the statewide bandh with Paresh Gattani, president of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries, estimating that losses ran to the tune of Rs 100 crore. "We have been raising this issue for months now. This government has failed the Adivasis. Our places of worship are being bulldozed in the name of development. We demand the ramp's removal immediately," said Bablu Munda, president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti. Ranchi sub-divisional officer Utkarsh Kumar said, "Emergency services were fully functional. At Hinoo Chowk, the protesters were being removed only to allow the smooth passage of passengers. There was minimal use of force to ensure mobility,"
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
2 tribal groups call state bandh today over Siramtoli flyover ramp
Ranchi: Two major tribal groups — Adivasi Bachao Morcha and Siramtoli Kendriya Sarna Sthal Bachao Morcha — have called for a statewide bandh on Wednesday in protest against the construction of a flyover ramp at Siramtoli, which, according to tribal groups, threatens a sacred Sarna religious site. The bandh is expected to see widespread support from various indigenous and regional groups across the state. The bandh has also received moral support from the political party, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JDKM). The party's vice-president, Devendra Nath Mahato, announced that a 'Khatiyani Mahadharna' will be held at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday to support the protest. "We support the bandh and demand chief minister Hemant Soren honour his commitment to tribal rights," Mahato said. Speaking about the bandh call, Kendriya Sarna Samiti president Bablu Munda said, "The govt is encroaching on our sacred land in the name of development. The Siramtoli Sarna Sthal is not just a place, but our identity." Other protesters alleged that the construction violates the constitutional protections of tribal land and spiritual heritage under the PESA Act and other legal safeguards. The bandh would highlight broader concerns, including the functioning of the Tribes Advisory Council, misuse of land bank policies, neglect of tribal language and culture and alleged encroachments on tribal areas, they claimed. Premshahi Munda, the convenor of Adivasi Bachao Morcha, added, "We are not only opposing the ramp at Siramtoli but also against the larger pattern of forced land acquisition and continued erosion of tribal rights across Jharkhand — from Parasnath to Pithoria." Meanwhile, authorities have announced measures to prevent any disruption of essential services. "Police forces will be deployed across sensitive areas. We will also ensure that emergency services, including hospitals, ambulances and medicine shops are not obstructed," Ranchi SDM Utkarsh Kumar said.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribals protest against Siramtoli flyover ramp
1 2 Ranchi: Several tribal organisations under the banner of Adivasi Bachao Morcha staged a one-day protest outside Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, demanding the removal of the ramp near the Siramtoli Sarna site and the full implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) in Jharkhand. The demonstrators alleged that the ramp near the central Sarna religious site at Siramtoli obstructs large religious gatherings, especially during annual processions, and must be removed immediately. The protest saw participation from former minister Dev Kumar Dhan and Geetashree Oraon, among others. The protestors also accused the state govt of failing to protect tribal constitutional rights despite 25 years of Jharkhand's formation. "From land grabbing to lack of employment, the issues of tribal communities remain unaddressed. The govt has shown no sensitivity toward PESA, Sarna Code, and tribal land rights," said Prem Shahi Munda, convenor of Adivasi Bachao Morcha. Key demands included declaration of sites like Marang Buru, Luguburu, and Mudhar Pahad as tribal religious places, a separate religious code in the census, and withdrawal of policies promoting alcohol in tribal-dominated rural areas.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Want education and jobs, not liquor: Adivasi Morcha
1 2 Ranchi: The Adivasi Bachao Morcha on Thursday marched from the Jaipal Munda stadium to the Albert Ekka Chowk, raising slogans and holding placards against the state Tribes Advisory Council's (TAC) May 21 move to allow retail liquor outlets in Jharkhand's tribal inhabited areas with gram sabha's consent. The TAC, in a meeting led by chief minister (CM) Hemant Soren, approved a proposal to permit the establishment of liquor shops in tourist sites of national and international importance in the state, having a 50% or more tribal population. The tribal groups alleged that the govt turned a blind eye to the basic needs of the Adivasis and was trying to promote liquor for earning revenue. The convener of Adivasi Bachao Morcha, Prem Shahi Munda, said, "At a time when Adivasis are grappling with unemployment, poverty, and land alienation, the govt's focus on promoting liquor sales is both insensitive and detrimental. The decision will allow non-tribals to do business in tribal areas and purchase land, turning the tribals landless. The Council must introduce employment schemes for tribals, scholarship programmes to promote education among them. " The Morcha announced plans for a sit-in protest outside the Raj Bhavan on May 27, ahead of a state-wide bandh scheduled for June 4 to protest the construction of a flyover ramp near the Kendriya Sarna Sthal at Siromtoli.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal forum calls bandh over flyover ramp work
Ranchi: Tribal communities on Saturday announced a Jharkhand bandh on June 4 to press for the immediate dismantling of the under-construction ramp, as a part of the Siromtoli flyover , near the Kendriya Sarna Sthal in Siromtoli stating that it was built without community consultation and violated the spiritual and cultural sanctity of the sacred site. Coming together, several tribal organisations across the state have formed a united front, Adivasi Bachao Morcha , to lead the agitation. The Morcha has announced a series of protests, including a sit-in outside Raj Bhavan on May 27, before the June 4 bandh. "The ramp may seem minor, but for us, it's a direct interference with our traditions. This is not just about a structure; it's about respecting our identity and religious heritage," said tribal leader Prem Shahi Munda addressing a press conference on Saturday. The matter is currently under review by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). Following complaints from tribal representatives, the NCST reportedly ordered a temporary halt on further work at the site pending investigation. Beyond the ramp issue, the Morcha is also demanding enforcement of the PESA Act .
