THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept 7: The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced statewide protests on September 11, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of social activist Surya Hansda and the return of agricultural land to tribal peasants in Nagdi.
BJP State President and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi said the party would hold demonstrations across all 216 blocks of the state and submit memoranda addressed to Governor Santosh Gangwar through Block Development Officers.
Demand for CBI Probe into Surya Hansda’s Death
Marandi accused the state government of shielding those responsible for the “brutal killing” of Surya Hansda, which police have described as an encounter. He claimed Hansda was tortured before being shot dead, citing injury marks and the absence of blood at the alleged encounter site.
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Hansda, a former four-time candidate from the Borio constituency, was known for his social work, including running a residential facility for over 250 underprivileged tribal children. He also campaigned against illegal coal mining and stone smuggling in Santhal Pargana, often clashing with local mafias.
Marandi argued that while 24 cases had been filed against Hansda, he had already been acquitted in most, and the state government was “spreading confusion” by portraying him as a criminal. “If the government believes the police are not guilty, it should recommend a CBI inquiry,” he said.
Nagdi Land Dispute Resurfaces
On the Nagdi issue, Marandi accused the Hemant Soren government of forcibly taking over tribal farmers’ land for the proposed RIMS-2 project. He recalled that although land was first acquired in the 1950s for Birsa Agricultural University, subsequent governments had assured farmers their holdings would remain untouched.
He noted that in 2012, the land was again earmarked for institutions such as IIM and IIIT, sparking widespread protests. Farmers have continued to resist, and in recent weeks, they removed barbed-wire fencing and ploughed the disputed land.
Marandi alleged that the current government is “snatching tribal land in the name of development” while suppressing peasant movements, even placing former Chief Minister Champai Soren under house arrest.
Statewide Agitation Planned
The BJP leader said lakhs of party workers would join the September 11 protests. “This so-called Abua Sarkar is killing tribals and looting their land,” Marandi alleged.
State media in-charge Shiv Pujan Pathak and spokesperson Ajay Sah were also present at the press conference.
