Champai Soren warns of indefinite stone transport ban in Kolhan

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Oct 31: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has strongly condemned the recent police lathi-charge and arrests of tribal protestors in Chaibasa’s Tambo Chowk, West Singhbhum district.

He warned that if the detained individuals are not released immediately and the cases filed against them are not withdrawn, tribal organizations will enforce an indefinite suspension of stone transportation across the Kolhan region.

Soren said that under this protest, no stone-laden trucks would be allowed to move from East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts until justice is delivered.

Urges Jharkhand High Court to Take Suo Motu Cognizance

The former Chief Minister urged the Jharkhand High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and ensure appropriate legal action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Without naming the ruling Hemant Soren government, he accused it of being “anti-tribal” and said that whenever tribals raise their voice for rights and justice, the administration suppresses their movement with force.

Background of the Incident

According to reports, several tribal organizations had announced plans to march towards the residence of State Cabinet Minister Deepak Birua earlier this week.

In anticipation, the district administration imposed Section 144 prohibitory orders in the area.

When the protestors reached Tambo Chowk, they were stopped by the police and decided to stage a sit-in demonstration there, demanding a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles on NH-220 and NH-75E.

As the protest continued into the night, police resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Sixteen tribals, including women, were arrested, and FIRs were lodged against 75 named individuals and around 500 unidentified protestors.

Soren called the entire episode a grave injustice to the tribal community and reiterated that the movement would intensify if the government failed to act swiftly in favor of the arrested individuals.