Protests erupted in Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s ancestral village, Nemra, as locals with ‘sticks and axes’ gathered to block JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto from launching his ‘Recruitment System Reform Yatra’ against state recruitment bodies.
Villagers Protest Against Campaign
Protests erupted in Nemra village, the ancestral home of former Chief Minister late Shibu Soren and current Chief Minister Hemant Soren, as locals gathered to block Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto from launching a campaign against state recruitment bodies on Monday. Villagers in Ramgarh’s Nemra gathered with “sticks and axes”, vowing to prevent Mahto from entering the village premises to conduct his proposed 24-District JPSC-JSSC ‘Recruitment System Reform Yatra’.
Protesters alleged that Mahto planned to burn an effigy of their ‘Manjhi-Haram’ (Village Head) Hemant Soren in Nemra. Speaking to ANI, a protester from the village, Anil, said, “Devendra Mahto is scheduled to visit Nemra today. Specifically, he intends to burn an effigy of our Manjhi-Haram right here in Nemra. Since he is attempting to burn that effigy, the entire village gathers and stands guard here. If Devendra Mahto arrives, we will not let him enter the village. If he insists on proceeding, we will resort to force.” Another protester, Parmeshwar, said, “The person heading our village is the ‘Manjhi-Haram,’ Hemant Soren. We do not recognise the Chief Minister; we recognise the Manjhi-Haram. There are five such officials in our village, and they ought to be informed when anyone enters the village. So, if he comes here today by force, we will greet him with our lathis.”
Campaign Launched Despite Protests
Despite the protest, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto and a group of students initiated the second phase of their “JPSC-JSSC Corruption-Free Recruitment Campaign” from Lukaiya Tand in Nemra. As part of the launch, Mahto and other students garlanded the statue of former Chief Minister Shibu Soren in the village.
Recruitment System Reform Yatra
Mahto stated that the launch of the “Recruitment System Reform Yatra” adhered to traditional Jharkhand customs, featuring rituals by senior pahans, the singing of the national anthem to the beats of the madar, paying tribute to prominent leaders, and planting a sal sapling. The campaign demands a transparent, fair, and corruption-free examination system under the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
According to Mahto, starting from Ramgarh, the yatra will pass through districts including Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Latehar, Palamu, Garhwa and Ranchi. Mahto described the yatra as a mass campaign focused on the future, rights, and dignity of Jharkhand’s youth. (ANI)
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