Thursday 18 / April / 2024
Ranchi: More than 550 people, including an MLA, were arrested across the east Indian state of Jharkhand during the 24-hour bandh called by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the state even as two vehicles were set on fire and some others damaged.
A stationary bus for the employees of Tata Motors was torched by bandh supporters in the early hours in Jamshedpur, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Jamshedpur-HQ-1) K. N. Mishra said.
Glass panes of some other vehicles were broken and blockades were put up in Kolhan region, he said. A truck was set ablaze on the national highway near Dhanga in East Singhbhum district, DSP Amit Kumar said.
More than 550 people were arrested across the state when they were trying to enforce the bandh, a police officer said. Of them, 450 people were arrested in Serailela-Kharswan district alone.
JMM MLA Dasrath Gagrai was arrested along with 50 other supporters from Kharswan area this morning, SP Indrajit Mahatha said.
JMM Senior Vice President Champai Soren, also an MLA, said the bandh was successful and "historic" while police said its impact was partial.
Rashtriya Janata Dal , CPI and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) are supporting the bandh.
JMM has called the bandh in protest against the state's recently announced domicile policy that defines, among other criteria, that anybody who has lived in Jharkhand for thirty or more years for business, employment or any other reason and has immovable property will be considered as a resident of the state. JMM demands that 1932 survey should be made the cut off mark for eligibility of being a resident.
