Jharkhand bandh evokes mixed response, students block Seraikela-Kandra main road

Mail News Service

Seraikela, June 10: The first day of the two-day Jharkhand bandh, organized by the Jharkhand State Student Union to protest against the state’s employment policy, witnessed a mixed response in Seraikela. While the shops in the main market area and its surroundings remained open as usual, the movement of people was relatively normal. However, there was a decrease in the number of passenger and goods vehicles on the roads compared to regular days.

During the protest, local students took to the streets and blocked the Seraikela-Kandra main road near Kankra turn under the jurisdiction of the Seraikela police station. They burned tires to symbolize their support for the two-day bandh. The road blockade resulted in a long queue of vehicles on both sides of the road.

Under the leadership of the Jharkhand State Student Union, the students raised slogans against the current planning policy, criticizing the “Nai Chaltoy 60:40” principle. They argued that the current planning policy of the Jharkhand government, based on a 60:40 ratio, would have detrimental effects on the future of local students. In unison, the protesters demanded an immediate cancellation of the 60:40 planning policy and the implementation of a policy that serves the interests of the people of Jharkhand.

The Jharkhand State Student Union’s State Committee warned of a more aggressive agitation if the government fails to address their concerns. The three-hour roadblock on the Seraikela-Kandra main road caused significant inconvenience to motorists, leaving them shocked and frustrated. The situation prompted Nitish Kumar, the in-charge of Seraikela police station, and his team to intervene. They successfully persuaded the protesting students to open the road, allowing traffic to resume its flow smoothly.

Rahul Dev Mahto from the Corruption Control and Public Welfare Organization explained that the bandh was called by student organizations for two consecutive days, leading them to block Kandra Mod on the first day. He expressed his discontent over the lack of recognition for the local people of Jharkhand. Similarly, Shankar Mahato emphasized the need for the Jharkhand government to improve the planning policy. Despite the mixed response to the Jharkhand bandh in Seraikela, the road blockade staged by students highlights the growing dissatisfaction among local students and their demand for a fair planning policy. The Jharkhand State Student Union vows to intensify their agitation if their concerns are not promptly addressed by the government.