On Friday (August 23, 2024), the police of Jharkhand dropped tear gas bombs and used water guns to scatter Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists who demolished barricades during a demonstration against “unfairness” by the Hemant Soren government and failure to please voters.
The rally was attended by protesters who were seen trying to march towards Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence which is located close to the Morabadi Ground venue. Consequently, police baton-charged them.
BJP leaders have alleged that many workers sustained injuries during the police baton charge with Amar Kumar Bauri stating that it was high time JMM-led coalition in State was wiped off.
“Nobody can stop us”, he said.
Within 500 meters from Morabadi Ground excluding premises, Section 163 of BNSS replaced Section 144 of CrPC as enforced by district administration. The restriction prevented public meetings, rallies, dharnas, demonstrations or gatherings of five or more people within that area between 11 am and pm on Friday.
In addition ,a spokesman at an official release said “Moreover , no one is allowed to carry weapons such as guns or explosives like dynamite”. Moreover no loud speakers are supposed to be used in this area,” according to an official release.
Prohibitory orders were violated by BYJM workers said a police official.
“This rally has not sought permission but sammelan has been granted,” said Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Chandan Kumar Sinha. Since we have imposed prohibitory orders beyond periphery of Morabadi Ground no rally is being permitted there. We have made sufficient deployment; also we have requested the organizers only meeting strictly.”
Another police personnel disclosed that “barricades had been placed near Chief Minister’s house and also at Morabadi Grounds as a preventive measure”.
As stated by him, “The police personnel baton charged the protesters to prevent them from going towards the CM’s house.”
This is where BJP leaders were scheduled to address the ‘Yuva Aakrosh Rally’ and BYJM workers were assembled in Morabadi Ground.
A scuffle ensued between police personnel and BYJM as well as BJP workers led by Singh CP.
BJP said that this is a conspiracy to muffle Bharatiya BJYM workers condemning the Hemant Soren government for its “injustice” and two months are only remaining before it will be shown an exit door through assembly elections.
According to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, trying “to stifle the voices of workers” was what JMM government was doing which he described as “the last nail in its (JMM government’s) coffin”.
The order expressed apprehension that there are some organizations or political parties that may hold dharnas, demonstrations and rallies and some protesters might gherao chief minister’s residence.
“It may disrupt government work, traffic movement may get affected, law and order situation may arise and public places may witness disturbances. Therefore prohibitory orders have been imposed”, read the order.
Mr. Chouhan accused the JMM-led government of not allowing BJYM workers come to Ranchi from various districts where several buses were confiscated.
He claimed that the BJP workers were made to disembark from their buses and the buses came from various districts to Ranchi throughout the night.
“He has surrounded Morabadi Ground with barbed wire fencing…Even High King Ravana’s pride did not last long and if you start thinking you can suppress voices through force, you will fail”, Mr. Chouhan observed.
“Only a frightened CM (Hemant Soren) could resort to such practices. He is neither able to run the government nor his party. The Junta Dal United regime has contributed one hundred people dead in Jharkhand, 110 people raped, 80 kidnappings, 100 riots, 20 loots, 2 dacoities and 50 lakh other crimes committed in this State.
“Infiltrators are encroaching on Adivasi land; there is open loot all around; when BJYM workers raised questions about poll promises like five lakh jobs attempts were being made to muzzle their voices,” he alleged.
Mr. Chouhan claimed that days were numbered for the present JMM-led regime and said, “When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi could not stop our voices, how can you stifle our voices”.
The Hemant Soren administration lived in fear of its inability to fulfill those assurances it had given young people and betrayed them before their faces as such Union Minister Sanjay Seth believes.
People have given an ultimatum for “vacate the throne,” said Rajya Sabha MP and former BJP State president Deepak Prakash.
He added – It’s time for Hemant Soren ji ‘sinhasan khali karo janta aati hai’.
BJP state president Babulal Marandi had sought permission for programme “The police are playing role of a JMM worker who wants to bar our activists coming here. Democracy allows us rallying.” Marandi said.
Members of Bhartiya Janta Party’s youth wing had planned the rally to protest against the Hemant Soren led government who according to them failed to fulfil promises made during the last assembly elections.
He told reporters, “Hundreds of BJYM workers backed by BJP assembled in Ranchi today and are planning to march towards CM Soren’s residence where they will ask him questions related to jobs, unemployment allowances and other issues raised during the 2019 assembly election campaign.”
