THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 17: BJP state president and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi visited Ghor Thamba in the Giridih district after arriving from Delhi, following reports of violence during Holi celebrations. According to Marandi, Hindus celebrating with colours were attacked with stones and petrol bombs, while the police stood by and protected the attackers instead of taking action.
What Happened in Giridih?
On the day of Holi, a group of Hindus was reportedly celebrating in the streets of Ghor Thamba, as they have done in previous years. However, this time, they were allegedly ambushed with stones and petrol bombs in what Marandi claims was a “planned attack.” The incident led to tensions in the area, with police intervention escalating the situation instead of calming it.
Marandi’s Allegations Against the Police
Marandi accused the police of deliberately worsening the situation. He claimed that officers, including the officer in-charge and the circle officer (CO), parked their vehicles on the road and remained passive observers while the violence unfolded.
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“When the news of the attack spread, members of the Hindu community gathered, but instead of ensuring justice, the police began arresting innocent people,” he said.
He further alleged that innocent individuals were being taken from their homes late at night and jailed without justification. “This was a one-sided attack, yet the police are trying to frame it as a mutual conflict and are persecuting innocent people,” he added.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom and Safety
Marandi raised concerns about the safety of the Hindu community in Jharkhand. “How long will people continue to endure such atrocities? If festivals cannot be celebrated peacefully, how will the Hindu community survive?” he asked.
He also condemned the alleged hypocrisy of those who object to Holi celebrations but engage in violence. “If someone has a problem with colours and abir, they should stay at home. But those same people have no problem shedding blood,” he remarked.
Demands for Justice and Government Action
Marandi accused the ruling party and the police of spreading false narratives. “People who had colours in their hands are being jailed, while those who threw stones are being protected. Action must be taken against the stone pelters,” he demanded.
He called for a thorough investigation using CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the violence. “The police must find out where the stones came from, who threw the petrol bombs, and where these materials were stored,” he said.
Warning of Statewide Protests
Marandi warned that if justice is not served, the BJP will launch a strong movement against the state government across Jharkhand.
He outlined several key demands:
- The immediate removal of the Ghor Thamba police station in-charge and CO.
- Compensation and resettlement for those whose shops and properties were burned.
- The release of innocent people and an end to their persecution.
- Arrests of the actual criminals responsible for the attack.
“If the government does not take immediate action, we will be forced to stage a dharna to demand justice for the people of Giridih,” he warned.