THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, May 31: BJP state president and Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has alleged that the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government is attempting to displace tribals from their fertile agricultural lands under the guise of development.
Visiting protesting tribal landowners and farmers in Nagri, Kanke (Ranchi), Marandi voiced strong opposition to the state government’s plan to construct a facility on their farmland, calling it “destruction in the name of development.”
Speaking to the aggrieved residents, Marandi questioned the rationale behind uprooting families who have been engaged in farming for generations. “Why is the government taking away the land of those who have committed no crime? If a hospital is needed, there’s no shortage of barren land around Ranchi. If the government cannot find land, we are ready to help locate it,” he said.
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‘Fertile Farmland Being Sacrificed’
Marandi pointed out that the government has 202 acres on one side and 25 acres on another in the same region and should rethink its decision. “Constructing a hospital by destroying fertile agricultural land is not development; it is devastation,” he said, urging Chief Minister Hemant Soren to visit the site and witness the situation firsthand.
He recalled a similar incident during the construction of the law university in the area, where farmers’ land was taken despite strong opposition from locals. “I have visited this land before, but the government’s intention wasn’t clear back then. Now it’s obvious the administration is eyeing this land once again,” he added.
Violation of Tribal Rights and Laws Alleged
Marandi condemned the move as a direct violation of tribal rights. He reiterated that under the Constitution, no land acquisition can take place without the consent of the gram sabha (village council). “The tribals have no other source of livelihood besides farming. Using police force to snatch their land is unacceptable,” he stated.
Citing documents shown to him by villagers, Marandi said no legal process was followed in the acquisition attempt. “There was no notification, no compensation, and no gram sabha approval. This is nothing short of throttling democracy. The BJP will not let this injustice happen,” he said.
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BJP to Launch Statewide Protest
Marandi declared that the BJP would raise the issue both on the streets and in the state Assembly. “If required, we will also take the matter to court,” he said, warning that any attempt to forcibly take land from the tribal raiyats (landowners) would be resisted.
He accused the Hemant government of being on a mission to “sell off Jharkhand” and described its approach as authoritarian. “This land in Nagri was never acquired legally. We will not allow such a move to succeed,” he said.
The BJP leader was accompanied by senior party members Ashok Badaik, Balku Oraon, and hundreds of tribal raiyats who gathered in protest at the site.
