Ranchi, June 30: Violent clashes broke out between tribal villagers and police in Bhognadih village of Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district on Monday during the observance of Hul Kranti Diwas, leaving several people injured, officials said.
The violence erupted after police attempted to remove tents erected by the Sido-Kanhu Murmu Hool Foundation near a memorial site commemorating the 1855 Santhal uprising. The district administration had earlier denied permission for the parallel event organised by the foundation, which had invited Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister Champai Soren as chief guest.
Attempts to dismantle the unauthorised setup led to heated confrontations, with supporters of the foundation allegedly hurling stones and firing arrows. Police responded with a baton-charge and deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. Officials confirmed that several villagers and police personnel were injured, including three officers who were hospitalised.
A heavy police presence has been deployed in the area, and Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner Hemant Sati is monitoring the situation on the ground. Tensions had reportedly been simmering since Sunday, after police detained 13 foundation workers involved in setting up tents. The workers were later released after negotiations, but the atmosphere remained volatile.
The state government’s official Hul Diwas function was held separately in Bhognadih, with Education Minister Ramdas Soren representing the administration in place of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was unable to attend.
BJP state president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi condemned the police action, calling it a “barbaric crackdown” on tribal villagers. “On the sacred occasion of Hul Diwas, this act is deeply shameful,” Marandi said, warning that the incident could mark the beginning of the downfall of the Soren-led government.
In response, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) dismissed the BJP’s allegations, accusing the opposition of stoking unrest. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” said JMM spokesperson Vinod Kumar Pandey, adding that the government programme was held peacefully and that security forces acted with restraint to prevent further escalation.
Hul Kranti Diwas is observed annually on June 30 to commemorate the tribal uprising led by Santhal leaders Sidho and Kanhu Murmu against British colonial rule in 1855.
