From politics to petition Dumka remained the hotspot

VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

Politically Dumka remained the most happening place on Friday in the wake of cabinet meeting here. Disgruntled JMM MLA Sita Soren who had raked-up the nerve of the coalition government by her anti-government noises in the past, appeared to be in perfect sync with the government and her party. The fear that Sita might sabotage the cabinet meeting and the purpose behind it (by airing her differences) proved wrong.

Sources confided about an hour long meeting of Sita with the Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday evening in Deoghar to diffuse crisis and to persuade her to play rather a positive role in persuading the government for the development of Santhal Pargana division.

“Sita is the baby of media that hyped her small complains and grievances into a major political crisis. She is not of that nature as projected,” JMM MLA Sheshank Sekhar Bhokta told the Pioneer.

Nevertheless, common people remained indifferent even after the cabinet meeting was held in Dumka. “People are least excited this time as they were in 2006 when the cabinet meeting was held in Dumka. Probable reason is that Dumka and Santhal Pargana were neglected in terms of development,” RK Nirad, political analyst and editor of a Hindi newspaper observed.

But, around a dozen of political and non-political outfits had their ways to raise voices of people. Garib Das, deputy chairman of Dumka Municipality, covered around four km distance by crawling himself on the road and reached the suchana Bhavan where cabinet meeting was scheduled. His demand included giving Dumka Municipality the status of corporation, funds for the development of Dumka under urban development fund and correction of the BPL list.

Lawyers of Dumka Bar Association held a silent march and demonstration for long pending demand of the bench of Jharkhand High Court in Dumka.  The activists of Left parties held a march to demand immediate stop to the land transfer in Santhal Pargana adding that the issue of displacement must be addressed.

Jharkhand Adim Janjatiya Sangh held a rally to demand Pahariya battalion.  Gram Pradhan Sangathan, an outfit of village heads, submitted memorandum to highlight corruption in the land settlement office in Dumka and elsewhere in Santhal Pargana.  Another organization representing the interest of the Bhuyan and Ghatwal demanded scheduled caste status for them. The association of the Para teachers pressed for the regularization of their job. Though, none could meet the Chief Minister but they submitted their memorandum to the officials.