Jharkhand Bandh: Olchiki outfit blocks entry points to Jamshedpur, NH 33 worst hit  

Jamshedpur, July 7: The ‘Olchiki Hul Vaisi’ (OHV), a wing of the Majhi Paragana Mahal, a prominent advocacy group representing the Santali community, as part of its statewide bandh on Tuesday, blocked entry points to the city in a powerful display of solidarity and demands for the upliftment of the Santali community.

The group has put forth a comprehensive four-point agenda aimed at securing official language status for the Santali language, establishing a separate Santali academy, promoting the printing and reading of Santali language books written in the Olchiki script, and reinstating Santali teachers within the education system.

Activists from the Olchiki Hul Baisi outfit took to the streets, strategically blocking key entry points such as NH 33 railway tracks and locations including Adtiyapur, Karandih, and Mango.

The protests and blockades were part of a concerted effort to bring attention to the pressing concerns of the Santali community and compel authorities to address their demands.

The Jharkhand bandh call which has the support of the Aadivasi Suraksha Parishad also cast its impact, especially in the rural areas where shops and educational institutions remained closed.

The activists set up blockades by burning tyres and squatting on the roads at strategic points, especially at the entrances of the steel city in East Singhbhum, Seraikela and Chandil township in the Seraikela-Kharsawan and Chaibasa- Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum districts.

NH 33 was the worst hit as a long queue was visible due to blockade of roads.

Though adequate police arrangements were made in view of the proposed bandh, the police personnel could do nothing except for ensuring that the bandh supporters, who were carrying traditional weapons, may not cause any damage to the life and property of the commuters during the agitation.

“ The foremost demand is the official recognition of the Santali language as an official language. The Santali language, with its rich cultural heritage and significance, deserves acknowledgment and support at the governmental level to preserve and promote its use. In addition to language recognition, we are advocating for the establishment of a separate Santali academy. Such an institution would serve as a dedicated platform for the advancement of Santali culture, language, and traditions, nurturing talent and preserving the community’s unique identity,” said Salkhan Murmu, a tribal leader.

The activists also emphasize the importance of promoting the printing and reading of Santali language books written in the Olchiki script.

The Olchiki script is an indigenous writing system that holds immense cultural value to the Santali community.

Ensuring the availability and accessibility of literature in this script would facilitate the preservation of the Santali language and its literary heritage.

Furthermore, the outfit is calling for the restoration of Santali teachers within the education system. Recognizing the vital role of educators in shaping young minds and preserving cultural knowledge, the demand for the reinstatement of Santali teachers highlights the need for adequate representation within educational institutions.

The Olchiki Hul Baisi outfit’s statewide bandh aims to draw attention to these crucial issues and encourage constructive dialogue with the authorities. By asserting their collective voice, the Santali community seeks to pave the way for positive change and the empowerment of their community.

The outfit has expressed its commitment to peaceful protests and dialogue, urging the authorities to address their demands earnestly and work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Kharagpur-Tatanagar section suffers, several trains cancelled  

Jamshedpur : In view of 12 hours bandh, South Eastern Railway regulated the following trains: 12022 Barbil -Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express was cancelled on July 4  08071/08072 Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Kharagpur Passenger Special remained cancelled on July 4 .

12021 Howrah-Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express journey commencing  on July 4  wasshort terminated at Kharagpur. 18033 Howrah-Ghatsila MEMU Express journey commencing  on July 4  will be short terminated at Kharagpur. 18034 Ghatsila-Howrah MEMU Express journey commencing  on July 4  will be short originated from Kharagpur. 15022 Gorakhpur-Shalimar Express journey commenced on July 3 will run on diverted route via Chandil-Adra-Midnapore. 22905 Okha-Shalimar Express journey commenced on July 2 will run on diverted route via Chandil-Adra-Midnapore. 12262 Howrah-CSMT (Mumbai) Duronto Express journey commencing on July 4  will run on diverted route via Midnapur-Adra-Chandil-Tatanagar.