Jamshedpur: Amidst growing tension at Burmamines, former MP and senior Congress leader Dr. Ajoy Kumar took a jibe and criticized local political representatives for their absence during a crucial moment when traders needed support. Speaking to the media, Dr. Ajoy Kumar called out Jamshedpur MLA Saryu Roy and MP Bidyut Baran Mahto, accusing them of being “missing from the spot” when traders faced the threat of having their warehouses demolished. He expressed disappointment that MLA Roy , despite being in the city, did not show up, while MP Mahto was preoccupied with political matters.
“These leaders make tall promises, but when the people need them, they are nowhere to be found,” said Dr. Ajoy Kumar. “I did what I said I would. I stood up to the district administration and made them retreat.”
Dr Kumar assured the traders that he will continue to support them in their struggle. “Today, we forced the district administration to back down, but a permanent solution can only be found through legal means,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of a legal battle to protect the traders’ rights, pledging to provide them with legal assistance. However, he also stressed the need for the traders to take an active role in defending their position in court.
In a tense encounter at Lalbaba Foundry, where the district administration had arrived with police force to demolish a warehouse, Dr. Ajoy Kumar confronted the officials on behalf of the traders. He questioned the legality of the operation, demanding answers from the officials. When asked why no notice had been issued to the warehouse owners and why no alternative arrangements had been made for displaced workers and residents, the officials reportedly had no satisfactory answers.
Dr. Ajoy ’s intervention led to the district administration backing off and halting the demolition temporarily.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar also responded to protests by BJP workers, who opposed his presence at the traders’ protest site. According to him, the BJP’s agitation was a reaction to the exposure of 25 years of mismanagement under their rule. On Friday, BJP members attempted to disrupt Dr. Ajoy ’s speech as he addressed the traders at Lalbaba Foundry.
“My aim is not to play politics but to speak the truth,” said Dr. Ajoy . “The BJP’s mismanagement has led to this situation. Former BJP MLA Raghubar Das failed to get this area released from lease agreements while getting 86 other settlements cleared, putting traders and residents here in jeopardy.”
