Tribal Protest On Friday, several tribal organizations in Ranchi organized a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the eve of their scheduled questioning of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Tribals Express Discontent: Over a thousand tribals from different organizations participated in the march, carrying traditional musical instruments and symbols like bows and arrows. They gathered near Raj Bhavan in Ranchi to express their dissatisfaction with the repeated summons issued by the ED to Chief Minister Soren.
Slogans and Flags: Marching from Morabadi to Raj Bhavan, a distance of over 3 km, the tribals raised slogans against the ED and displayed Sarna flags, showcasing their cultural identity.
Protest Organizers’ Warning: The president of Kendriya Sarna Samity, Ajay Tirkey, warned that if any punitive actions were taken against Chief Minister Hemant Soren, it could lead to widespread unrest in Jharkhand. He expressed concern about the alleged misuse of the ED by the BJP-led Centre against non-BJP ruled states.
Participating Organizations: Five tribal organizations, including Kendriya Sarna Samity, Rajhi Parha Sarna Prarthana Sabha, Adivasi Sena, 22 Parha Samity, and Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad, along with Hatia Visthapith Morcha, joined the protest.
No Memorandum to Governor: The protestors did not submit any memorandum to the governor, expressing their dissatisfaction with statements seeming to support ED actions. They aimed to alert the ED and those disrupting the elected pro-tribal state government.
ED’s Letter to Chief Minister: The ED had previously sent a letter to Chief Minister Soren, requesting elaborate security arrangements for his questioning on Saturday. The federal agency also sought security measures from the chief secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state.
JMM Supporters’ Bandh: Earlier in the week, JMM supporters enforced a bandh in Sahibganj district in protest against the ED summoning Chief Minister Soren. JMM leaders hinted at widespread resentment among tribals against the ED’s actions.
Chief Minister’s Response: Hemant Soren agreed to the interrogation after eight summons, asking the ED to record his statement on January 20 in connection with an alleged land scam case on army land at Ranchi.
ED’s Deadline to Chief Minister: Reports suggested that the ED had given Chief Minister Soren a five-day window (January 16-20) to record his statement, asking him to provide the time and place within two days.
