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A ‘Kolhan Bandh’ enforced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brought West Singhbhum district to a standstill on Wednesday, protesting a recent lathi charge incident. The shutdown observed in response to alleged police excess against tribal protestors led to deserted streets and a halt in normal economic activities. BJP members actively participated in demonstrations, chanting slogans against the state government and local administration across affected areas, including Chakradharpur, Jagannathpur, and Sonua.
The core issue dates back to Monday night’s violent clashes near Chaibasa. Protesters advocating for a ‘no entry’ rule on NH-220 and the Chaibasa bypass surrounded the residence of Transport Minister Deepak Birua. The situation turned volatile at Tambo Chowk, where police intervention, including the use of batons and tear gas, was required to manage the escalating conflict. Reports indicate that 11 police personnel, including senior officers, and numerous protestors sustained injuries during the stone-pelting and clashes. Authorities have registered a case and detained 15 individuals out of the 74 named and 500 unnamed accused.
The BJP has seized upon the incident, denouncing the lathi charge as a “brutal act” by the government and escalating their protest through the bandh. Conversely, the JMM-led state government has pointed fingers at opposition leaders, specifically naming former Chief Ministers Champai Soren and Madhu Koda, for allegedly inciting the public. The JMM’s official stance is that the Central Government holds the authority over national highway regulations, not the state or district administration.
An interesting aspect of the bandh was its differential impact. East Singhbhum was largely unaffected due to its exemption stemming from the Ghatsila Assembly by-election, which allowed essential services to function normally. This contrasts sharply with West Singhbhum, where the bandh completely disrupted public life and transport.
