Tribal activist Nisha Bhagat dies; Babulal Marandi demands CBI probe, seeks arrests
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, November 6: Tribal rights activist Nisha Bhagat died on Friday after allegedly attempting suicide at her residence…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, November 6: Tribal rights activist Nisha Bhagat died on Friday after allegedly attempting suicide at her residence in Dahutoli under Pithoria police station limits in Ranchi. Her Facebook Live video, recorded shortly before the incident, has gone viral, triggering questions over the circumstances leading to her death.
According to information available, Bhagat was taken to hospital following the incident. Doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) said she had died before being brought in for treatment.
Pithoria police reached her residence after receiving information about the incident and initiated an investigation. Police are examining the Facebook Live recording, her phone calls and other circumstances surrounding her death.
Facebook Live video raises questions over alleged harassment
In the video, Bhagat spoke emotionally about her alleged struggle against land mafias and expressed frustration over the administration’s response to her complaints. She also referred to issues concerning the Sarna faith, the Sarna-Sanatan debate and her opposition to what she described as systemic failures.
She questioned why her efforts to raise these issues had not yielded results and expressed concern about the distress her death would cause her parents.
The video also contains references to a person identified as Ajay Tirkey and a conversation with her father over the phone.
Bhagat subsequently made a Facebook post in which she reportedly raised issues relating to missionaries, money and land. Police are examining the video and the related material as part of their investigation.
Known for raising tribal rights and Sarna issues
Nisha Bhagat was known as a vocal activist who campaigned for tribal rights and issues concerning the Sarna faith. She had previously drawn attention through protests on matters related to Sarna identity, including an incident last year when she shaved her head during a demonstration.
Her death has triggered questions about the allegations she raised in her final video and the circumstances in which she had been working.
Babulal Marandi seeks arrest of Pithoria police officer, Ajay Tirkey
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi expressed concern over Bhagat’s death and questioned the state’s law-and-order situation and the protection of tribal rights.
In a statement, Marandi said the Facebook Live video recorded before her death reflected the distress and frustration of a social activist who believed she was not receiving justice.
He alleged that land mafias were operating with political protection in Jharkhand and accused the Hemant Soren government of failing to act against those involved in illegal land dealings.
Marandi claimed that people such as Ajay Tirkey were active in different parts of the state and alleged that complaints raised by social activists against such individuals were not receiving adequate attention.
He said Bhagat’s death had raised serious questions about the functioning of the administration and the protection available to those fighting for tribal rights.
BJP leader demands CBI investigation
Marandi demanded the immediate arrest of the Pithoria police station sub-inspector concerned and Ajay Tirkey. He also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case to establish the circumstances surrounding Bhagat’s death and identify those responsible, if any.
Targeting Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife, MLA Kalpana Soren, Marandi said their public statements about protecting tribal rights needed to be matched by action on the ground.
He further alleged that the state government had failed to control land-related illegal activities and maintain law and order.
Marandi also referred to other incidents, including the death by suicide of a sub-inspector in Sahibganj and the death of Surya Hansda, claiming that these incidents raised wider questions about the state’s administrative and law-enforcement systems.
He said the Chief Minister should step down if he was unable to ensure law and order and take action against land mafias.
Marandi called upon tribal organisations and members of the community to continue raising their demands for accountability, justice and action against those allegedly involved in land-related irregularities.
