Normal Life Partially Affected in Rural Areas

Normal life was partially affected in rural areas of Jharkhand on Sunday, the second day of Bandh state called by a student organization demanding 100 percent booking for locals in government jobs and withdrawal of the 60-40 employment policy.

Bandh drew mixed reactions in urban areas of the state on Sunday.

Jharkhand State Students’ Federation, an umbrella body of various student organisations, has called for the 48-hour Jharkhand Bandh convening which began on Saturday, to demand a khatyan (land settlement) employment policy.

On the outskirts of Ranchi, the division’s supporters blocked various roads including at Sili, Bondo, Rahi and Tamar by burning tyres. They also blocked roads on National Highway 33 in Bondo and imposed bandhs in Rahi, Sunahatu, Sili and Tamar markets.

The protesters also blocked the Ranchi-Patna highway near Urmanji, causing a huge traffic jam. The siege was lifted after police intervention.

Kishore Kaushal, the chief inspector of police in Ranchi said as many as 12 agitators have been arrested so far, causing traffic disruption.

“The forces are deployed in sufficient numbers at all key locations in the area. The agitators tried to put up roadblocks in a few places but the police cleared them as soon as possible. No untoward incident has been reported so far from any part of the state. “We are closely monitoring the incitement,” the SSP told PTI.

JSSU leader Devendra Mahto from Bundu has been arrested by police for blocking roads and forcing bandh in different markets. Mahto was released after a few hours. Then he reached Ranchi for the same reason but police detained him again here.

Markets opened in the capital and passenger cars moved in, as is the case on other normal days. The number of long-distance buses running from Ranchi was much lower on Sunday.

In Ramgarh, women also took to the streets and blocked roads. Near Sur Moor in Ramgarh, protesters danced to the rhythms of dhol and nagada. They also burned tires on the roads to stop traffic.

In Dumka, the impact of the wave was less on Sunday compared to the previous day. Shops and markets were open. Long-distance buses did not run.

Protesters staged processions in Kolhan district of Jharkhand and various districts including Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad.

JSSU leader Devendra Mahto claimed that the two-day agitation was a “huge success”.

The government must have understood that young people are against the 60-40 employment policy. It should withdraw it immediately and implement a Khatian-based recruitment policy. Otherwise, we will intensify the rampage.”

JSSU noted widespread statewide on April 19 as well on the issue.

Mahto alleged that the government promised an employment policy based on the 1932 “khatian” (settlement of land), but instead introduced a pre-2016 employment policy, according to which 60 percent of seats would be reserved while 40 percent would be open. For everyone.

Making 1932 the cut-off year for the residence policy would help descendants of people who lived in the area, which is now Jharkhand, before that year get jobs.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)