BJP Demands CBI Probe Into Tribal Leader’s Death

Tensions flared outside the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday as the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc staged rival protests, highlighting deep political divides. The BJP, joined by allies, demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged encounter death of tribal leader Surya Hansda, while the JMM, Congress, and RJD protested against Bihar’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the controversial 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill.

State BJP chief and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi led the charge, accusing the Hemant Soren government of orchestrating Hansda’s “cold-blooded murder” in a staged encounter. Hansda, a former BJP candidate who contested multiple assembly elections, was arrested on August 10 in Nawadih village, Deoghar, and killed during a police operation at Rahadbadia Hills, allegedly after snatching a weapon and firing at officers. “This was a conspiracy to silence a tribal voice,” Marandi claimed, demanding Soren’s resignation and alleging the government is complicit in land grabs, particularly in Ranchi’s Nagri area, where tribal plots are being acquired for a hospital project. “Return the land to farmers,” he urged.

The BJP’s seven-member probe team, led by former CM Arjun Munda, found “major discrepancies” in the police’s account, noting Hansda was acquitted in 14 of multiple cases against him. Tribal organizations, including the Kendriya Sarna Samiti, echoed the call for a CBI probe, labeling Hansda a social worker who provided free education to 350 children.

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Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, led by JMM’s Sudivya Kumar, protested the SIR exercise in Bihar, alleging it raises suspicions ahead of elections. Kumar also slammed the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 20, which mandates resignation for jailed PMs, CMs, or ministers after 30 days in custody on serious charges. “This bill weakens democracy,” Kumar asserted, vowing strong JMM opposition if similar voter roll revisions are attempted in Jharkhand.

The protests, marked by candlelight marches and tribal outrage, have intensified scrutiny on Soren’s government, with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes summoning Jharkhand officials for a report on Hansda’s death. As the monsoon session continues until August 28, both sides are set to escalate their demands inside and outside the Assembly.

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