New Delhi: A one-day state-wide bandh against the Land Acquisition Bill has resulted in hundreds of protestors being detained in several parts of Jharkhand today (July 5). Opposition parties have slammed the land acquisition amendments – which provide for waiving a social impact assessment for specific projects of public interest – stating that it would make it easier for corporates to acquire land.
According to an Indian Express report, ADG (operations) and Jharkhand police spokesperson R.K. Mallick said that so far, over 500 have been detained and rail traffic has been stopped in one place. “Protesters tried to block trains, but were removed. Forces and senior officials are on the ground. We are keeping a close watch,” Mallick said.
The shutdown was called by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and supported by the Congress, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) and Left parties, the English daily reported. The BJP-led state government had earlier labeled the shutdown “a gimmick” and “unconstitutional” and warned protestors that strict action would be enforced in case of any damage to public or personal property.
Ranchi: Police stop Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) activists who were protesting during ‘Jharkhand Bandh’ called by all opposition parties over the Land Acquisition Bill. Credit: PTI
The state administration had deployed 5,000 personnel on the ground to keep violence in check during protests against amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 through a Bill passed in the Jharkhand assembly in August 2017. The Bill, which was cleared by the president in June, had done away with the impact assessment clause to allow government-sponsored developmental projects.
A majority of the schools and markets in most of the district headquarters remained closed today and with taxi and autorickshaw unions supporting the shutdown, public transport was also hit. The bandh had partial impact in Lohardaga with long distance buses and trucks remaining off the road, according to police sources. Garwah district also saw a mixed response with 240 bandh supporters being taken into custody, according to police sources.
According to experts, the coming together of all opposition parties for the bandh could be seen as a sign of forging unity among non-BJP parties ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
(With PTI inputs)