Ranchi, Mar 22 : Ranchi will remain closed today as tribal organizations have called for a bandh in protest against the construction of a flyover ramp at Sirmatoli, a site considered sacred by the tribal community.
During the Jharkhand Assembly session, ruling and opposition parties exchanged accusations over the issue. Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey alleged that the BJP was instigating the protests. “The people of the tribal society had met the Chief Minister, and appropriate guidelines were given. Despite that, the bandh was called. Political organizations are involved in this. It is not right to mix religion with politics,” Tirkey said.
BJP MLA from Garhwa, Satyendranath Tiwari, countered, saying, “This is the Abua government, which claims to be a well-wisher of tribals. But the tribal society is still forced to protest, which means they have lost faith in the Hemant government.”
Congress MLA from Simdega, Bhushan Bada, added, “A middle path will definitely be found in the Sirmatoli dispute. The entire tribal society is united.”
The tribal community has demanded an immediate halt to the construction work. The site is significant as all Sarhul processions traditionally reach the Sirmatoli Sarna Sthal during the Sarhul festival. The bandh has been called ahead of the festival, with tribal leaders urging the state government to take action before the celebrations begin.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed the issue in the Assembly, assuring the tribal community that the government is working on a resolution. “Celebrate the festival of Sarhul happily, there is nothing to worry about. An appropriate decision will be taken soon,” Soren said.
