THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
New Delhi, Dec 11: BJP state executive president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu on Thursday raised in the Rajya Sabha the recent incident of alleged police lathicharge on tribal residents in Chaibasa.
He demanded a high-level inquiry into the action and also sought action against the West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner (DC) for allegedly misbehaving with former Chief Minister Madhu Koda.
Speaking during Zero Hour, Sahu said tribals protesting at Pokharia–Tata Bypass Road on October 27 were demanding a ban on the movement of heavy, overloaded vehicles during daytime. He stated that nearly 200 people had lost their lives in two years after being hit by such vehicles in the area, which is predominantly tribal.
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According to Sahu, hundreds of local residents had blocked the road and staged a sit-in to press for their demand, but neither the local MLA nor the state transport minister met the protesters. He alleged that no official came forward to hear the grievances.
He further claimed that the Hemant Soren–led JMM-Congress government ordered a lathicharge after sunset, during which tear gas shells were also used to disperse the protesters. “This exposed the anti-tribal character of the Congress, which has historically shown insensitivity towards tribal, Dalit, and backward communities,” Sahu alleged.
He stated that the administration later booked 75 people, arrested 10 men and 7 women at night, and lodged FIRs against more than 500 unknown persons.
Sahu also accused the Deputy Commissioner of misbehaving with former Chief Minister Madhu Koda when he went to submit a memorandum after the incident. “A former chief minister, who held the rank of a cabinet minister, was insulted. This raises the question—who has emboldened these officials?” he said.
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He added that while the state government claims to be a protector of tribal rights, incidents of harassment and humiliation of tribals are repeatedly surfacing. Calling the episode “shameful for the state,” Sahu urged the Union government to ensure a high-level inquiry so that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
