Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) which is the ruling party protested outside the Assembly in Ranchi on July 29, against Nishikant Dubey’s claim that portions of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar ought to be made a Union Territory to curb infiltration from Bangladesh.
Nishikant Dubey, while addressing the Lok Sabha on July 25 called for the formation of a Union territory which encompasses Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal; Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar as well as Santhal Parganas region in Jharkhand. He argued that “Bangladeshi infiltrators” had led to reduction in population of tribals at Santhal Parganas region.
Protesting outside the Assembly, State Minister Deepak Birua said BJP was trying to divide Jharkhand using this issue. “It has been said clearly by BJP in Parliament. We will not allow BJP to divide our State,” he added.
Contrarily, Babulal Marandi the state president of BJP described Mr. Dubey’s statement in Parliament as his ‘personal’ comment. “We have nothing to do with it,” he told reporters.
Nevertheless, BJP MLAs staged demonstrations outside the Assembly alleging that Bangladeshi infiltrators were being protected by Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led ruling alliance. Anant Ojha who is a BJP MLA claimed that tribal population was decreasing in Santhal Parganas area.
Anant Ojha who is a BJP MLA claimed that tribal population was decreasing in Santhal Parganas area. The members demanded NRC implementation there too.
On its part, JMM tried disowning what Congress MLA Shilpi Neha Tirkey had stated concerning demographic changes occasioned by influx from Bihar into Jharkhand.
State Minister Mithilesh Thakur said that alliance is not associated with her statement. We are Jharkhandi from our birth and heart,” he added.
