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Life in West Singhbhum was largely paralyzed on Wednesday due to a ‘Kolhan Bandh’ called by the BJP to protest a police lathi charge incident involving tribal community members in Chaibasa. Roads were deserted, and businesses remained closed, reflecting the bandh’s success. BJP activists actively demonstrated, voicing grievances against the state government and local administration. The bandh significantly impacted life in areas such as Chakradharpur, Jagannathpur, and Sonua.
This protest action follows a volatile event on Monday night in Chaibasa. Demonstrators had earlier blocked roads and surrounded the residence of Transport Minister Deepak Birua, advocating for a ‘no entry’ policy on NH-220 and the Chaibasa bypass. A standoff at Tambo Chowk escalated into a violent clash, forcing police to deploy lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which responded with stone-pelting. The melee resulted in the injury of 11 police personnel, including an SDPО, and several protestors. An FIR has been registered against 74 named and 500 unnamed individuals, with 15 arrests confirmed.
The BJP has strongly condemned the police action as a ‘brutal response’ from the government. The JMM, however, has shifted blame, accusing former Chief Ministers Champai Soren and Madhu Koda of orchestrating the protest. The JMM emphasizes that decisions regarding ‘no entry’ on national highways are under the jurisdiction of the Central government.
Notably, East Singhbhum was exempt from the bandh’s impact. This exemption was due to the Ghatshila Assembly by-election, ensuring the continuity of essential services. While East Singhbhum remained largely unaffected, West Singhbhum experienced the full force of the shutdown, highlighting the varied impact across regions.