THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday warned of statewide protests if those responsible for the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh district are not arrested within 24 hours.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu said the party would organise torchlight processions across all blocks of Hazaribagh on March 29, followed by a district-wide shutdown on March 30.
Sahu visited Kusumba village in the Bishnugarh block of Hazaribagh on Friday along with MP Manish Jaiswal, former Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, MLAs Nagendra Mahto, Amit Yadav, and Roshan Lal Chaudhary, and district president Vivekananda Singh.
Details Are Disturbing, Says BJP
Sahu said the details of the incident, as narrated by villagers, were “deeply disturbing and heart-wrenching.” The minor girl, daughter of a labourer, had reportedly gone to watch a local procession when she was abducted, sexually assaulted, and later murdered.
He alleged that the crime involved extreme brutality and said it had shocked the local community.
Allegations Against Administration
The BJP leader accused the district administration of insensitivity, claiming that officials failed to visit the victim’s family for several days after the incident. He also alleged that no immediate assistance was provided to the victim’s father to return home, and that BJP representatives arranged travel for him.
Sahu criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren, alleging that the state government had failed to respond adequately to the incident. He questioned the overall law-and-order situation in Jharkhand and raised concerns about women’s safety.
Political Attack on State Government
Targeting the ruling coalition, Sahu alleged that the police were not effectively addressing crime and claimed that criminal activities were being overlooked. He also criticised the Chief Minister for being away from the state and urged him to address the situation.
Protest Plan Announced
Issuing a warning, Sahu said that if the accused are not arrested within 24 hours:
- BJP workers will hold torchlight processions on March 29 across Hazaribagh
- A district-wide bandh will be observed on March 30
- The party’s women’s wing will stage protests at district headquarters across Jharkhand
Demands by BJP
The BJP demanded:
- Immediate arrest and death penalty for the accused
- A government job for the victim’s father
- ₹50 lakh compensation for the family
- Security for the victim’s family
Sahu also urged leaders of the ruling alliance—JMM, Congress, and RJD—to visit the village and assess the situation on the ground.
Media in-charge Shivpujan Pathak, co-in-charge Yogendra Pratap Singh, and party spokespersons Avinesh Kumar Singh and Ajay Sahu were also present at the press conference.