State wakes up to sleeper cell terror

State wakes up to sleeper cell terror

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi, March 10: Suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) agent Manzar Imam (35), arrested from Ranchi on March 4, has divulged names of six aides and confirmed the existence of IM sleeper cells in Jharkhand, sounding a red alert on behind-the scenes activities that so far had managed to stay off the intelligence radar. Sleeper cells are support systems used by terror groups in places considered low-key, safe havens. Radical hard-liners use these cells to hide active agents pursued by police and intelligence personnel or prepare logistics before a big-ticket attack. Imam, arrested by a joint team of police and intelligence agencies from Kanke on March 4, and grilled both by city police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Ranchi and the NIA in Ernakulam, confessed to six aides from Ranchi and Ramgarh and their role in a sleeper cell. Federal agency NIA contacted intelligence counterparts based in Ranchi, which sent Union ministry of home affairs a report based on Imam’s confession. The report added the six suspects, all educated and without any criminal record, were “recruited and indoctrinated” by the IM to expand its terror base in Jharkhand. Imam’s name figured in several acts of terror, including the February 21 Hyderabad blasts. His close associate Danish Riyaz from Bariatu was arrested in Vadodara on June 21, 2011, in connection with Ahmedabad blasts. According to Imam, Salahuddin, Abrar and Haidar are from Ranchi, while Farhatullah, Muajamin and Hidayatullah are from Ramgarh. Intelligence sources refused to reveal details about them but hinted that Haidar was a frequent visitor to Aurangabad in Bihar as he was given the important assignment of creating similar network in the district’s Madanpur area. “All of them are under our close watch. It is a big network that operates in a secret manner. It is a part of a larger investigation,” said an intelligence source. Central intelligence agencies have also set alarm bells ringing by saying they have specific inputs on the flow of foreign funds in Jharkhand from West Asia to allegedly fund terror activity. Jharkhand, strategically located with hidden forest tracks to bordering states, can prove a useful hideout for terror networks as it has for Maoist cadres. Off and on, worrying reports of Jharkhand’s link with terror groups have surfaced since the US consulate attack in January 2002, when a suspect died in Khirpur, Hazaribagh. Only a concerted effort by state police intelligence, central agencies and military intelligence can bust terror networks and shelters. Jharkhand police also needs to sharpen its antennae. Insiders said state police two months ago refused to act on a specific tip-off about the consignment of sophisticated arms stocked in a densely populated area of Ranchi.

Your class enemies too have right Comrades

Your class enemies too have right Comrades
VIJAY DEO JHA
RANCHI   
They planted bomb in the belly of a dead CRPF jawan, Babulal Patel, grabbed another fateful to and yanked off his eyes, chopped private parts before finishing them during a bloody encounter in Latehar this gone week.They yell to move from ambush to ambush to wage wars on establishment, class enemy corporate interests that they allege are grabbing and fast belting land and resources of poor tribal: a fact or fancied fear.They repeatedly refer their commitment on June 2010 Document’ to wage violence as the central instrument of revolutionary overthrow of government by 2040. They refer their fight across the globe in standard radical discourse right from Philippines to Saranda and many a hitherto unknown locations in Jharkhand.When mutilated bodies of 10 dead jawans of the CRPF were collected from blistered Latehar datelines their commitment for the Geneva Convention dealing with ‘Prisoners of War’ and ‘Honour to dead,’ suffered a collateral damage in the battlefield.Three civilians too died during the single blast when they were allegedly forced by the security forces to collect bodies of two of their dead. Maoists had used them as booby trap by placing bodies on pressure bomb. This is something hunter versus hunter fight, each wearing victimhood as virtue, each portraying the other in villainy, each promising the portents of its calling. The very definition of ‘class enemy,’ method of brutal execution and mutilation of set conventions has long been debated in the top echelons of the CPI (Maoist).It was debated when Maoists had chopped head of Jharkhand police’s special branch officer Fransis Induwar in excess show of brutality. Induwar was a ‘Prisoner of War’ in Maoists’ own discourse. That time the then Second in Command of People’s Liberation of Guerrilla Army, Koteswar Rao, had admitted it as wrong saying the lower rung executed it without permission. And then the killing of poor cop, Lucas Tete, at Lakhisarai in Bihar of Induwar order, and, that poor cop at Bhandaria in Garhwa who was set on fire.  In both the case Maoists were criticized for targeting and killing the very poor tribal class on whose name they have been fighting. In between hundred got killed in similar fashion whose alleged association with class enemy or corporate interest were claimed and disputed by both sides.Noted radical Left ideologue GN Saibaba calls it a global propaganda. “Long back Maoists had set a clear guideline against brutal methods. There is no proof Maoist planted bomb in the belly. Why Maoist will waste their bomb and weapons in such things? This is cook and bull story,” Saibaba told the Pioneer over telephone. But the police counter the allegations of any kind.Last year the central committee of the CPI (Maoist) had announced to end cruel form of execution.  Maoist leader and spokesperson Manash had said: “Class enemies were killed by slitting their throat…we have decided to stop this. It has already been stopped more or less.” But dispatches from Latehar and mortuary of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences come with disturbing confirmations.If one to believe Saibaba; security forces might have planted a bomb to plant a cock and bull story. “There are evidences that forces had used innocent villagers as human shield in Latehar,” he said. To Saibaba, the killing of Induwar was a sporadic case and such cases make Maoist leadership worried and they take corrective and punitive steps. The claim requires examples that are not too many and confirming. But he accepts the trend of brutal killing became prevalent after 1998.A senior journalist who has watched and reported Naxal movement calls it a simple of case of Maoists’ deviation from ideology and top leadership fast losing command over lower rung. “When they have guns in their hands they care little for ideology. Woefully Maoist movement has lost on destination,” he said.Something seems have lost in the claim and counter claim of welfare democracy and people’s revolution because this ongoing battle is red of hue and creed: bluntly, bullet for bullet, blood for blood.

Munda quits party post

Munda quits party post

VIJAY DEO JHA & RADHIKA RAMASESHAN

Arjun Munda Ranchi/Delhi, March 9: Former chief minister Arjun Munda has resigned as BJP legislature party leader, apparently miffed at not being considered for the job of heading the state unit in Jharkhand that is likely to see Assembly elections by the end of the year. In a one-line resignation letter sent to party president Rajnath Singh today, Munda is learnt to have said that he could “work conscientiously” for the party without “holding a formal position.” Singh welcomed the move. “Who gives up a post these days? It is a good gesture from Munda,” the BJP chief, who had played a key role in anointing Munda as chief minister, told The Telegraph in Delhi. According to sources, the BJP central leadership’s understanding was that the former Jharkhand chief minister had quit in pique after he realised he would not be asked to head the state party outfit. Apparently, Munda made it clear to the leadership that if it was disinclined towards him, the “next best choice” would be Ravinder Rai. Sources indicated that there was a toss-up between Rai and Raghuvar Das, with an “edge” to Rai. In Ranchi, Munda refused to say anything beyond a measured statement on the prevailing mist surrounding the appointment of the state BJP president. “The central leadership of the party is handling the matter,” he told The Telegraph. But with his party colleagues in the state, he was more forthright in indicating his displeasure. “Ab aap log party ko jaise chalana chahen waise chalyen. Maine aaplogon ke liye rasta saaf kar diya hai (Now you people run the party the way you like. I have cleared the way for you),” he is learnt to have told a senior state BJP leader as soon as word spread about his resignation. Some influential leaders in Delhi were pitching for Munda and argued that since it was a “given” that he would lead the BJP in the next Assembly elections, he should also be entrusted with the party’s command so that dual power centres — one helmed by the Jharkhand party chief and the other by the prospective chief ministerial candidate — were not created. However, it seems that view did not prevail. Asked about Munda’s future, Rajnath said, “He said clearly he was prepared to work without holding a post.” The BJP president refused to indicate who would take over the party in Jharkhand. But Rai, an upper caste Bhumihar, was emerging as a frontrunner, although it did not mean he would be the party’s chief ministerial face. Rajnath said the name would be announced soon. The rationale behind bringing in a non-tribal was to consolidate the votes of these groups that the BJP believe were among its core supporters. Tribal votes, the party leadership feels, were split between the BJP, Congress and regional parties.

Munda resigns as party legislative leader to stop Das’ elevation as state president

Munda resigns as party legislative leader to stop Das’ elevation as state president

Ranchi; March 9

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda took leaf out of political book of his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje Sindhiya — the resignation drama — to pressurize central BJP brass to anoint him or his nominee Ravindra Rai as state president.

In a one line resignation letter sent to the central BJP president this afternoon, Munda said that he wanted to resign from the post of party legislative leader so that he “could devote time to consolidate party in Jharkhand.” Munda in his letter, wished to work for the party “without holding any post.”  

However, a senior central BJP leader closely associated with the Jharkhand affair, refused to say resignation as Munda’s a measured protest against central party bosses after they put the name of Rai on hold following protest from a section of state BJP.

“Mundaji will have natural interest in the state BJP. He is one of the stakeholders. But I believe his name is under consideration for the post of national general secretary along with Amit Saha of Gujarat. His resignation may be due to because this under one-man-one-post principle,” the leader said.

But BJP insiders claimed Munda’s resignation was a timely act of pressure tactics as this afternoon central BJP was all set to announce the name of Munda’s arch rival, Raghubar Das, as next state president. Das as state president would not only reduce Munda’s fast dwindling grip over state unit it will firmly barricade his chief ministerial ambition. Munda is in no mood to play further inning in central politics to leave the state affairs controlled by his adversaries who are now a majority flock.

Munda’s resignation, party sources said, has forced central to put the matter of appointment on hold till a compromise formula is worked out.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Munda neither contradicted nor accepted his resignation. He was not ready to speak anything beyond measured statement over prevailing mist over state BJP president appointment, the issue that developed faultline among top rank leaders.

“Ab aap log party ko jaise chalana chahen waise chalyen. Maine aaplogon ke liye rasta saaf kar diya hai, Now you people run the party the way you like. I have cleared the way for you,” Munda is learnt to have told this to a top state BJP leader as soon as report of his resignation landed in public domain.

However, party insiders termed it Munda’s measured rebellion terming it who-blink-first-show as half of the state BJP including top party seniors like LS Deputy Speaker Karia Munda, former minister Yashwant Sinha, former state BJP president Raghubar Das, Saryu Rai and a good number of party MPs from Jharkhand opposed to proposed appointment of Rai.

“I don’t know why he chose to resign from legislative leader post when the very post holds no significance as assembly is in suspended animation. Mundaji had aggressively lobbied for Rai, Bur Rai remained a no-no because of his past association with Babulal Marandi and the way he had left the party after heaping insult on party patriarchs and our ideological figures like Deen Dayal Upadhyay,” a state BJP leader said.  

The tandem of Karia-Yashwant-Das arch rival of Munda has unveiled a spoke to puncture Munda’s bid to grab driver’s seat. Some three days back when Rajnath Singh was all set to announce Ravindra Rai as state head when Karia Munda in protest threatened to resign from the post of deputy speaker. Rajnath Singh, despite having close association with Munda can’t afford to please Munda by ignoring concerns of central BJP leaders like Lal Krishna Advani, Sushma Swaraj who are have already been briefed about open protest against the name of Ravindra Rai.

Munda’s resignation has now thrown up a prospect his rivals may relish and the BJP may find a bit tough to manage.

Prod for leads on Ranchi terror suspect

Prod for leads on Ranchi terror suspect

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi, Feb. 24: The Hyderabad serial bomb blasts have put the state police on their toes yet again. Jharkhand police received a missive from the Union ministry of home affairs two days ago prodding the department for latest inputs on elusive Ranchi-based youth Manzar Imam, 35, who bears the same name as the one involved in the latest Hyderabad serial blasts, sources said. The central ministry wants to ascertain any possible connection of Imam with Thursday’s twin blasts, as he is known to be among the top 12 men on the ranks of militant group Indian Mujahideen. Jharkhand’s border districts such as Dumka, Pakur, Sahebganj and Jamtara which are prone to illegal immigration, as well as Hazaribagh, Dhanbad and Ranchi have been given special instruction as there have been reports of Indian Mujahideen’s sleeper cells operating in these places, a top police official confided. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the role of Imam and one of the friends, Danis Reyaz (under judicial custody), in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bombing case, is slated to attach movable properties of the Ranchi youth soon. In December 2012, the NIA could not attach his property due to some technical issues. “We are freshly scanning and verifying records of people whose conducts may be doubtful. We have information that a suspect of the same name belongs to Bihar. I believe investigations into the Hyderabad blasts are in the initial phase. Let a clear picture emerge. But it is a fact that Ranchi boy Imam, as evidences suggest, has clear terror connection,” DGP G.S. Rath told The Telegraph. He pointed out that the state police did not have any intelligence input about “direct or indirect links of Jharkhand in the Hyderabad episode”. He added: “But owing to the fact that there exists sleeper cells of IM in some parts of Jharkhand we have sounded a high alert. We appeal to citizens to alert the police about any suspicious objects and persons in their areas.” According to intelligence sources, Imam who allegedly joined IM’s terror camp along with 40 others at Thangalpara forest in Kottayam district of Kerala in 2008, is among the top operatives of the outfit. “As long as he does not turn up to prove his innocence, he will be seen as a suspect whenever IM triggers terror strikes. IM is a closely-knit group. There are evidence of Imam’s close association with top IM operatives like Yasin Bhatkal,” said a top intelligence official. Police officers, however, declined to speak in detail about security measures and alerts. Sources said the districts bordering Bengal that are prone to illegal immigration owing to proximity with Bangladesh had been specifically told to remain alert. The name of Imam, a resident of Bariatu in Ranchi, surfaced in the Ahmedabad bomb blasts case following confessions by Reyaz, an IM member. Reyaz, also a resident of Bariatu, was arrested from Baroda in Gujarat. “Manzar Imam would have been arrested in July 2011 when an NIA team had raided his house in Ranchi, as he was in the city. We doubt this highly secret operation was leaked and Imam managed to flee,” said an intelligence official. Sources did not rule out the possibility of Imam escaping to Nepal or Bangladesh. The NIA has moved a Hyderabad court to seek fresh order to attach movable properties of Imam in Bariatu. Manzar Imam, alias Manzar Imam Ali, is said to have received terror training at one of the camps of IM in Kerala. A case was registered against Imam and 40 others in Kerala. After the investigation was transferred to the NIA, it lodged a fresh case in Hyderabad under different sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Autos spare hike spiral, but fare pinch if reserved

Autos spare hike spiral, but fare pinch if reserved VIJAY DEO JHA An auto-rickshaw being refilled in Ranchi on Sunday, after the petrol price hike. Picture by Hardeep Singh Ranchiites dreading yet another jump in auto-rickshaw fares after the latest hike in fuel prices are in for a pocket-friendly surprise. The unions have promised that you will be charged the existing fare, but with the condition that you will only feel the pinch — a prickly 10 per cent extra — if you reserve petrol-driven auto-rickshaws. The price of petrol was hiked by Rs 1.50 per litre and diesel by 45 paise nationally on Friday. In Ranchi, however, the hike is Rs 1.80 for petrol and 53 paise for diesel as the state administration charges 20 and 18 per cent as value added tax respectively. The two auto-rickshaw unions in the state capital — Chotanagpur Taxi Tempo Driver Union and Jharkhand Pradesh Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasangh — announced not to increase auto fares after a decision on Saturday. There are around 1,000 petrol-operated auto-rickshaws, whereas the number of diesel-run autos is nearly 8,000 in and around Ranchi. “Though we will suffer minor losses, we are not going to raise the fare for the time being. In Ranchi, petrol will now cost Rs 68.48 and diesel Rs 50.33 per litre. But the next time there is a diesel price hike, we will have no option but to raise the fare,” said Shakil Akhtar, the president of Chotanagpur Taxi Tempo Driver Union. Last year in June, diesel auto fares saw a hike of Re 1, besides Rs 2 for the two-wheelers running on petrol. Chotanagpur Taxi Tempo Driver Union monitors diesel-run auto-rickshaws, while Jharkhand Pradesh Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasangh takes care of petrol-driven autos. Asked about frequent complaints against auto drivers arbitrarily charging money from passengers in the name of fuel hike, Akhtar said the union was planning to hold a meeting next week to discuss the issue. “We do receive such complaints. It is mandatory for every member of the union to display a fare chart. We are going to hold a meeting next week. The problem is that the district administration, too, never issued any directive for a clear-cut rule on increase in fare,” he said. Jharkhand Pradesh Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasangh president Dinesh Soni told The Telegraph: “We were forced to hike fare big 10 per cent in case of passengers who reserve petrol-operated auto-rickshaws. The increase is quite minimal. But fare for unreserved autos has not been increased.” Soni said the organisation would soon inform authorities at the prepaid taxi stands in Ranchi Railway Station and other places about the decision. Interestingly, a faction of the organisation led by Lankesh has not made any decision to this effect. A 10 per cent increase will make a substantial difference for passengers. For instance, those who were earlier charged Rs 200 to travel from Gandhinagar (Kanke Road) to Ranchi Railway Station would now have to pay another Rs 20. “We know that auto-rickshaws do not run on water. But any increase in fare must be logical, even if somebody reserves an auto. There are cases of arbitrary hike only because the district administration fails to regularise fare,” argued Deepak Prasad, a resident of Gandhinagar. Could the 10 per cent fare hike in petrol autos be avoided?

State chief by Feb. 20

State chief by Feb. 20

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi, Feb. 8: The BJP national general secretary and Jharkhand in-charge, Dharmendra Pradhan, arrived in Ranchi today to gauge the mood of a divided leadership over the appointment of a state party president. Pradhan convened an hour-long meeting of the core committee this afternoon. The general secretary dropped hints that the party chief would be named by February 20. The meeting, however, was marked by the glaring absence of former party chief Raghubar Das. Das told The Telegraph he skipped the meeting due to personal reasons. In an official statement earlier, the party said Pradhan was scheduled to hold a meeting of the core committee to discuss the emerging political scenario in the state in the wake of President’s Rule after the fall of the Arjun Munda-led coalition in January. Party insiders confided that Pradhan is scheduled to hold one-to-one meeting with top leaders during his two-day stay to draw consensus over the state unit president’s post. The scramble for the top job has resulted in a faction-ridden BJP. Former chief Das, who returned on Wednesday after a weeklong visit to Delhi and Nagpur to lobby his prospects, is opposed to former chief minister Arjun Munda. His grouse is that Munda has been trying to gain one-upmanship in the party by projecting himself for the state president’s post or any of his confidants in the worst case. Today’s meeting was attended by 11 members including Munda, Yashwant Sinha and state president Dineshanand Goswami.

Injured recall station horror

Injured recall station horror - Ranchi elder among injured in UP stampede

VIJAY DEO JHA

Devotees wait to board a train at Allahabad station on Monday. AFP photo Ranchi, Feb. 11: Three pilgrims from Jharkhand were injured in yesterday’s station stampede in Allahabad that left 36 dead, while one is missing. Retired schoolteacher from Ranchi Ganga Prasad Yadav (70) had gone to attend the Mahakumbh Mela with four family members. Yadav fractured his leg in the melee and is undergoing treatment at the Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital in Allahabad, but more worryingly, his nephew Lakhan (35) is missing. The two other injured pilgrims from the state are shop owner Ajay Prasad Gupta (40) from Latehar and homemaker Parvati (50) from Dhanbad. “The station was teeming with people. I was caught unawares when all of a sudden people started running from one platform to another. Within moments I was on the ground and people were running over me. I saw so many people dying in front of me even as I struggled to save myself,” a feeble Yadav told The Telegraph over telephone. His only plea was that someone should locate his missing nephew. Commenting on Yadav’s condition, senior medical officer of the hospital Dr R.S. Thakur said: “Yadav has been complaining of severe muscular pain and was admitted here last night. Routine check-up has been done and he is under observation.” Gupta is also admitted in the same hospital with similar complaints. “Pichhle janm me shayad koi punya tha, so bach gaye (I might have done some good in my previous birth so I am safe),” Gupta said. Recalling the incident, he added that a footbridge collapsed as people rushed to platform 6 from platform 2 to catch a Howrah-bound train. “All of a sudden there was an announcement that the train will arrive on another platform and people started rushing. At the same time, the police resorted to mindless lathi-charge, hitting anybody in sight, leading to a stampede,” he said, adding that he was worried as he had not been able to contact his family back home. Homemaker Parvati has been admitted in Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRNH) with fractures and bruises. As she was in no condition to talk, senior medical officer of the hospital Ajay Saxena said her condition was stable. Superintendent-in-chief of SRNH Shradha Dwivedi said as most of the injured admitted in the hospital are in a state of shock, it had not been possible to collect their details. A helpline number — 0532-2256006 — had been set up to provide information about patients. Meanwhile, Ranchi railway station has given special instructions to booking counters to provide tickets on priority basis to people who want to visit Allahabad to meet their near and dear ones who are either missing or convalescing in hospitals. “Though we are not running any special trains, instructions have been issued to provide tickets to such people on priority basis. They can personally ask me for any help,” Ranchi DRM Gajanan Mallya said.

MoU signed for tech cradles

MoU signed for tech cradles

AMIT GUPTA & VIJAY DEO JHA

Science and technology director Arun Kumar and chief operating officer of Techno India Suman Chatterjee exchange files as chief secretary SK Choudhary (centre) and governor’s adviser K Vijay Kumar look on in Ranchi on Tuesday. Picture by Prashant Mitra Ranchi, Feb. 5: The state science and technology department today signed an MoU with a Calcutta-based company to run two engineering colleges in Chaibasa (West Singhbhum) and Dumka — the firsts in both districts — on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Governor’s adviser K. Vijay Kumar, under whose presence the agreement with Techno India Group was signed, termed the partnership a welcome move to spread technical education in Jharkhand, adding the state had the potential to emerge as a hub in this regard. “It will also benefit the poor and unprivileged classes which cannot afford high costs for technical education,” he said. Director of state science and technology department Arun Kumar told The Telegraph: “According to the agreement, 53 per cent of the state’s students can avail of education at rates fixed by the government in the Chaibasa institute, while the percentage will be 21 per cent in Dumka.” The authorities are expecting Techno India — which has also been roped in by the department for an engineering institute and polytechnic at Ramgarh and Silli — would manage to gain approval from All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) to start courses at Chaibasa and Dumka from this academic session (2013-14). Kumar said that to start with, 300 seats each would be on offer at the Chaibasa and Dumka cradles, with a break-up of 60 for five separate trades. But, he added, the final approval from AICTE would be crucial. Chief operating officer of Techno India Group Suman Chatterjee said, “Jharkhand is our focus area. We are planning more such projects in Jharkhand in the coming days. The state’s response has been very encouraging. We would certainly like to continue partnering the department of science and technology.” Techno India will admit 25 per cent of the seats based on its own entrance test while 75 per cent berths will be filled up through the Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board, a state entity that conducts tests for engineering, medical, agriculture, forestry, veterinary and other courses. The company will be responsible to run the institutes for 30 years on licence. Its role will include upgrade, operation, maintenance and management according to AICTE norms, besides securing and maintenance at its cost all applicable permits/approvals/licences, et al. Chaibasa, the headquarters of West Singhbhum which is known for its vast mineral reserves and faced with the Naxalite menace in several pockets including Saranda, lacks an engineering college till date. Dumka, too, is deprived of an engineering college, though BIT-Mesra runs an extension centre in neighbouring Deoghar district. Sources said the college building in Chaibasa was complete, while few tasks including electrification were pending in the upcoming institute in Dumka. The authorities are hopeful about readying the buildings within a couple of months. The colleges were supposed to start functioning two years ago, but the laggard government machinery failed to take the projects off the ground. Chief secretary S.K. Choudhary, development commissioner Debashish Gupta, additional chief secretary Vinod Agrawal who holds the science and technology portfolio, industry secretary A.P. Singh and his urban development department counterpart Nitin Madan Kulkarni were also present during the signing of the MoU at Project Building this afternoon

All work and no play in babudom - Leave nixed, chai-paani denied, bureaucracy sweats under central rule

VIJAY DEO JHA & AMIT GUPTA

Work is our worship: Employees at Project Building in Dhurwa, Ranchi, pore over files on a busy day last week. Picture by Hardeep Singh Ranchi, Feb. 12: A for adda, Z for zzz. That’s the A to Z of Jharkhand’s babudom or so popular wisdom went before President’s Rule started on January 18. Less than a month later, W stands for work and workstations. Junk all clichés of “forty winks, files for swatting flies and chai-paani” into the nearest waste bin and watch the power corridors of Project Building, the state’s main bureaucratic hub, hum with busy efficiency. President’s Rule has jerked awake snoozing babudom. Red tape is now sweating on the corporate treadmill. Well, almost. Catch a section officer of the state personnel department hurriedly disposing and dispatching pending files. To avoid interruptions, he has placed a “Do not disturb” placard on his table. “Jaldi karoji, tezi se haath chalao (Faster man, move your hands faster),” the babu scolds his junior. Asked about the placard, he said: “I’m busy, can’t be interrupted, can’t risk keeping a file pending. I need to clear them all by this evening.” Democracy, for all its obvious virtues of freedom and choice, has not been able to conjure up this marvel. There’s more. A circular was issued weeks ago asking employees to reach office on time. But there was no mention of the closing time. Fresh applications for leave are not being entertained till March-end. The clear message — come on time, work hard, fast and smart, do not watch the clock. Personnel sources said at least seven employees across different government departments received showcause for sauntering in late to office. “We have become very punctual in our work. By 10.30am sharp everybody is at work. It is our daily routine. The new regime has indeed brought changes. You can feel it everywhere,” Nand Kumar Thakur, an under secretary rank official, said. Jharkhand’s two “tough taskmasters” — governor Syed Ahmed’s advisers Madhukar Gupta and K. Vijay Kumar — are indeed living up to their reputations. They are working late and setting the tone for all the other bureaucrats. Even senior officials are toeing the line, said a babu snidely. “Earlier, seniors came late, left early, threw their weight around and no one questioned them. Now, you will see them in their chairs. And they are also working,” he said, grinning. The reason is too well-known. “At the state guest house, the official residence of the advisers, work goes till late evening. So everyone here has to stay back till Gupta and Kumar work. The advisers also ask for status reports, host marathon meetings at Project Building till late evening, set the agenda. For instance, they asked secretaries concerned to furnish details of pending projects and amount spent. The fiscal is ending so budgetary details have to be ready.” Kumar is chairing meetings every second day, seeking precise data on pending projects. Gupta, another stickler for speedy work, is disposing of at least 50 files a day. So, is workaholism suiting everyone? It has been disorienting for those used to a snail’s pace. “Too much of workload all of a sudden,” an official of the department of cabinet coordination said diplomatically. “They want everything precise and complete. They want daily reports. They even got us digging into old and forgotten files. It is good for those who want to work.” Not good for those who want to relax and earn their sarkari salaries. Not good for betel and tea shops in and around Project Building too. Paan shop owner Om Prakash has been quick to sense the pulse of change and the plunge in his business. “Office time mein yahan pakde jayenge to action hoga. Do logon ko warning bhi mili hai. Mera income gira hai,” he rues. More work, less paan. “Will President’s Rule stay for long?” he wonders.

Hemant running out of ideas

Hemant running out of ideas

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi, Feb. 7: Hemant Soren, former deputy chief minister and JMM’s heir-apparent, is faced with a serious crisis as partymen are getting restless and want him to come out with a political plan in the wake of President’s Rule in Jharkhand. Hemant’s chief ministerial ambition has already been forestalled in the wake of the Congress leadership spurning his proposal to form an alternative government in the state after the JMM withdrew support from the Arjun Munda- led coalition. As of now, the prospects of forming an alternative dispensation look bleak even though he accompanied party chief Shibu Soren to Delhi last month and spent a couple of days there trying to convince senior Congress leaders. Ultimately, the father-son duo returned, but only with half-hearted assurances that their plea would be looked at afresh after the Union Budget was placed in Parliament. So far, Hemant has managed to keep his flock together with no one speaking out against him openly. But privately, many have started questioning his leadership abilities. “It’s one thing to be the son of the party chief and another thing to project political maturity,” said a senior JMM MLA. “He (Hemant) pulled out of the coalition without proper homework, blindly believing state Congress leaders who convinced him about their party’s support. He seems to have no clear vision about the future.” Party MLA Vidyut Baran Mahto refused to talk about Hemant’s political acumen, but agreed that many within the party weren’t quite sure about him. But Hemant is trying to reassert himself in his own way. Recently, he addressed two well-attended JMM rallies in Dumka and Dhanbad where he appealed to the Congress once again to help the party form a government. However, insiders feel that the JMM’s indecisiveness will rob the party of political space in future. “These rallies were successful. We have waited for a month to know the response of like-minded forces on government formation. Now, we should take a decision,” party MLA Shashank Sekhar Bhokta said. Hemant, those close to him say, still harbours hopes of being able to persuade the Congress. He believes that for the Congress, the JMM is the only party it can choose as an ally to fight the 2014 parliamentary and Assembly elections. But, senior JMM leaders like Hemlal Murmu contest this position. “Only Hemantji can explain his silence,” he said.

Slurs on MLAs worry Guruji VIJAY DEO JHA Shibu Soren Ranchi, Feb. 17: The JMM has been enduring ill omens for long, but it is more fidgety than ever as party supremo Shibu Soren battles growing concerns about a section of his MLAs facing legal wrangles and imminent arrest. The latest entrant in the list of troubled MLAs is his daughter-in-law Sita Soren, adding to Guruji’s worries beyond a failure to form alternative government with the Congress in Jharkhand after the BJP-led coalition fell last month when the JMM withdrew support. Almost half of his party MLAs, out of 18, is in legal soup over the ongoing CBI probe into cash-for-vote Rajya Sabha election scandals in 2010 and 2012 and few other vigilance cases. Sita, the Jama MLA, is not only believed to be an accused in the 2012 case, but she could face music as Ranchi police have corroborated evidence against her of allegedly abducting her former aide Vikas Pandey, alias Santi, who is a CBI witness against her. “Guruji is worried about the way things have progressed. He is particularly concerned about Sita, as he was emotionally attached to his elder son Durga. There are definite indications of serious crisis in the party,” a close aide of Soren told The Telegraph. Soren himself was summoned and questioned by the CBI on January 25, in connection with the coal scam in his capacity as former Union coal minister in the UPA government. The CBI is even gathering and scrutinising evidences against the Soren family in a disproportionate assets case. But JMM insiders fear deepening legal problems on half of the legislative flock of the party in the Rajya Sabha elections probe. During a raid on the premises of JMM Jamtara MLA Vishnu Bhaiya on April 21 last year, the CBI had seized a Toyota Fortuner and Rs 4 lakh. Another MLA Paulus Surin (Torpa) is believed to be in the CBI net in the 2012 horse-trading case. Refusing to divulge details, CBI sources hinted involvement of a good number of JMM MLAs in the episode. As the CBI is acting fast to meet the deadline set by Jharkhand High Court to complete investigation and constitutional procedures to file chargesheet against the accused in the 2012 case, it has deeply worried the JMM. “My detractors are trying to finish my political career and have implicated me in false cases. Believe me I am innocent,” Sita told The Telegraph. Party senior Simon Marandi (Littipara MLA) stands as an accused in the 2010 Rajya Sabha cash-for-vote row after he was caught on camera along with five other legislators from the party, BJP and Congress. JMM leader Nalin Soren (Shikaripara), too, has been evading arrest in a 2007 scam when he was agriculture minister in the then Madhu Koda government. Leaders at the JMM headquarters looked despaired for explanations they could not afford to air publicly. “Kya bolen? Election aa raha hai aise me toh adhi party hi samapt ho jayegi. Yah ham logon ko kamjor karne ki sajish hai. Lekin kuch galti hui tab to kisi ko hamen fasane ka mauka mila, (What do we say? Elections are nearing and half the party will be finished this way. This is a conspiracy to weaken us. Some mistakes provided other a chance to implicate us,)” said a party leader. Senior Soren is struggling to establish son Hemant as his rightful and unquestioned political successor at a time the party’s rank-and-file members are in a directionless drift. Senior leaders like Hemlal Murmu and some others from Kolhan are apprehensive that a political rookie like Hemant should be given such a promotion at the cost of experienced. However, the loyalists are engaged in a dutiful defence, sparing father and son any blame for the JMM’s woes. Soren is about to summon an emergency meeting of party functionaries and MLAs next week and discuss legal and political challenges. “Guruji is very worried. He has convened a meeting to discuss all these issues. We will fight them legally and politically,” said Vinod Pandey, senior party leader and close aide of Soren.

Sahay fears Coalgate backlash after Vijayadashmi

The ticking time-bomb of a Union Cabinet reshuffle — ready to explode anytime after President Pranab Mukherjee returns to Raisina Hills post-Vijayadashmi — may yet ruin the festive mood for Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay.

His office exudes optimism. Sahay’s media coordinator Ravichand Kapoor says the office has been receiving requests from different organisations seeking the Minister’s time to inaugurate puja pandals in Ranchi. “Within a couple of days, the list (of the places he will visit) will be finalised,” he added.

However, another close aide of Sahay was concerned, saying the Minister is quite unsure about his position in the Cabinet.

“Politics me utha-patak chalta hai lekin aise nahi. Kisi ko bura lagega,” he confided.

The report of a proposed Cabinet rejig the next week is spreading like the virus after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi met the President. Top Congress sources claimed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had summoned Sahay last month and advised him to be prepared.

Singh believed to be quite unhappy over Sahay’s subterfuge and repeated show of innocence towards ‘moral wrongdoing’ of recommending coal blocks to SKS Ispat & Power Ltd, where his younger brother Sudhir is a director, all the while keeping the PM in the dark.

A couple of other Ministers are also likely to be asked to step down.

Sahay has been a desperate man, having made three unsuccessful attempts to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her political advisor Ahmed Patel in the past month, to plead innocence in a bid to save his chair.

On the other hand, a top Central Congress leader hinted that this Cabinet reshuffle could not be a very straight affair, since the party really can’t risk sulking drops-out and may anyway accommodate them.

“Such things are under deliberation. Sahay might be in the dropouts list. Cabinet reshuffle and organisational overhaul will be simultaneous, keeping in mind general election of 2014,” the leader said.

Sonia Gandhi is likely to reshuffle the Central organisation of the Congress by the end of this month or the next month. Rahul, during his two-day Jharkhand tour last month, had indicated a probable change of guard of the State unit.

Sahay is expected to lobby for the post of State party president to compensate for the loss of his precious Ministerial post.

Sahay’s impending departure from Cabinet is eagerly awaited by his rival faction, headed by State party president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, who does not stop smiling when asked about his proposed induction in the Cabinet.

While a shaky and preoccupied Sahay would be busy inaugurating puja pandals in Ranchi, Balmuchu will be in Delhi to confirm his Cabinet prospects. He is slated to visit Delhi on Friday.

Nonetheless, visiting all those puja pandals, Sahay would surely seek the blessings of the goddess against the feared guillotine.

But what he really needs are political blessings.

Long considered rivals, a series of rapid political developments and their stars seem to have brought Jharkhand Congress president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu and erstwhile Union Cabinet Minister Subodh Kant Sahay to a similar fate.

Advisory capacity is the role sections of the State Congress are now considering for the duo, rather than appointing either to head the party in proposed restructure of the State unit.

The idea got the desired impetus in the wake of two shifts in national politics of the Congress as well as UPA-II in the past week, when Sahay was dropped from the Cabinet and Balmuchu was denied a berth.

An ‘over-extended’ term for Balmuchu as State party president is going to expire this month and he is quite unlikely to be anointed afresh. Nonetheless, he is believed to have started a lateral negotiation with Central party bosses to allow him to head the party.

Removed from the Ministry, Sahay — who has of late started identifying himself as a ‘man meant for the organisation’ — has given thick hints as to where his interests chiefly lie now — State party and people.

Both Sahay and Balmuchu have publicly undertaken their commitment to serve the party. Both of them 

Advisory role on cards for Balmuchu, Sahay?

are speaking in guarded language, but with enough adjectives to give clues to their understated meaning and the message they want conveyed. “I had never been keen on a ministerial job and never lobbied for that. I will keep serving party and organisation, which is my top-most priority,” says Balmuchu.

If the Central Congress dropped Sahay and denied Balmuchu a berth, it was solely because it did not want a fresh bout of factionalism in the State unit since both are known for sponsoring blatant factionalism.

The section of the State party averse to the Balmuchu-Sahay tandem has made a fresh plea to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. It wants him to help the party break fresh ground in Jharkhand and get fresh people in its ranks, rather than pressing for either of these two old boys, who are known for favouring kith and kin.

This non-cohesive and amoeba-like ‘third front’ consists chiefly of young MLAs and leaders like Banna Gupta, Geetashree Oraon, Sukhdeo Bhagat, Sarfaraz Ahmed and the likes, who consider themselves key flag-bearers of Rahul’s Mission Revive Jharkhand, for which Rahul visited Jharkhand in September. He returned with sufficient sense and reports that his party requires immediate housekeeping, with major surgery on its body politics.

“I had already told Rahulji about the precarious position of people like us. We are forced either to be in the Balmuchu camp or that of Sahayji. We believe an energetic leader — non-controversial and acceptable to all — should be appointed as the next president. One who will keep the party on the priority list,” Gupta notes. 

Though this close-knit group refrains from making explicit public statements that could court big brothers’ ire or lead to any disciplinary action, it has the support of many of Rahul’s confidantes.

However, they differ in one critical regard — whether the next president should be a tribal or non-tribal.

The Central Congress, which traditionally favours a tribal face to head the party in Jharkhand, will have a delicate task cut out since a section of the party is also pushing the idea of giving a non-tribal a chance.

Subodh Sahay did it for his brothers

Delhi as well as Ranchi’s power portals have long been buzzing with the story of Congress Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay’s love for his brothers. His denial is not so convincing a political plea.

At the beginning of the Coalgate controversy, Sahay had denied that either he or his brother had any connection with SKS Ispat & Power Ltd, which was granted coal blocks following his recommendation to the Prime Minister. But a flood of proof forced Sahay to accept that Sudhir Kumar, his younger brother, was honorary director.

“Many more SKS companies will surface in the coming days, which Sahay promoted and established to favour his family and brothers. He has a shrewd political and business sense. He has brought much disgrace to the party,” said senior Congress leader Alok Dubey.

Securing a ticket for his brother Sunil for the recently-held Hatia Assembly by-election remained a prestige point. He had pulled out all the stops despite open protest by the party’s old guards, who termed him yet another political opportunist to sacrifice the Congress’ larger interest at the alter of promoting his family.

Officially, Sunil was a Congress candidate; practically, it was a Minister contesting. Sunil was a just poster boy smiling from under the shadow of his heavyweight brother.

Unfortunately, the Sahays ended up flapping their wings hopelessly in a wind that did not obey their commands and lost the deposit. Sunil was left to carp and cry over the defeat — more than his party.

“Let him mourn the defeat. And please don’t say that the Congress got defeated. It was the Sahay family that was fighting election,” a senior Congress leader had said at the time. Sunil is still struggling to rise in politics as representative of his MP brother.

Subodh Kant Sahay was accused of keeping the high command in the dark just to promote his rookie brother.

Having a large family of six brothers — Sahay has three younger brothers Sudhir, Sunil and Tarun — the Minister has done his best to promote them politically and financially.

Sahay had frantically lobbied for Sudhir too, as party nominee for the Rajya Sabha election. But Dhiraj Sahu was just much better.

When it comes to tilting the scales in favour of his siblings, all it takes is a little tap of senior Sahay’s finger. One of his relatives who did not wish to be named refused to comment but advises going through MK Dhar’s ‘India’s Intelligence Unveiled’.

“This book speaks about how Sahay misused his position as Union Home Minister (State) to promote personal interest. Family is often a key arbiter in his scheme of politics,” he said.

Sahay, as Minister during the regime of Prime Minister Chandrasekhar, had faced the Opposition’s accusation for awarding contracts and tenders to front companies where his brothers had stakes.

“It is purely an attempt to establish patent; heirloom politics at its best and worst. Here, succession trend exhibits a flat model of the business family,” said former veteran Congress leader Pratibha Pandey.

Sudhir may not be a keener student of politics but Sahay has ensured a good place for him. He is part of the Congress delegation from Palamau. When Sahay was part of the Janta Dal, he had hijacked Janta Mazdoor Sangh, an RSS-supported trade union body active in Heavy Engineering Corporation, Ranchi. He became a patron of the trade body and appointed Sudhir as its head.

Promoting family might help, but not always — it is a sword that can cut both ways. Sahay seems to have learnt this fact the hard way.

Sankarshan Thakur (The Telegraph) and me Vijay Deo Jha at Khan Market, New Delhi. January 31st 2013 

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.

House raps government on MLA fund

Strap: Nagri protesters present paddy bouquets to MLAs

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi  

Infuriated fund starved MLAs of Jharkhand assembly fired salvo at the government for not releasing money under ‘MLA Area Development Fund’ from last nine months and forced the who’s who of government to take shelter behind silence.

Agitated members even urged Speaker CP Singh to move a resolution to terminate MLA Fund if the state government was handicapped and cash strapped.

As the second half of the winter session began on Tuesday MLAs cutting across party lines charged the government for sitting upon MLA funds from last nine months. Raising the matter BJP MLA Raghuwar Das quoted the ruling of the House during Monson Session where the government was directed to remove bottleneck and ensure the release of funds. Under the scheme, each MLA has the choice to suggest to the Deputy Commissioner for, works to the tune of Rs three Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency. 

Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his Deputy Hemant Soren intervened in the debate to explain the position of the government. “There may be problems with ‘MLAs Fund.’ But the government committed for financial discipline and is concerned towards financial irregularities,” Munda said. Unsatisfied over the answer members alleged the government holding partisan attitude and shielding officials. “By ignoring the ruling of the assembly the government has brought contempt on the House. Why should MLAs suffer due to officials DC, DDC and likes? The government is promoting regional imbalance,” Das said.

Outside of House an MLA of ruling coalition explained ‘regional imbalance’ should be understood in the context of ‘assembly imbalance’ as provisions have been relaxed and constraints removed for three top ministers of the government in availing MLA Area Fund.

Earlier in the house Hemant rose to intervene with mien of an arbitrator. “Ham Sangharsh nahi samadhan ki disha me badhen, let us take the path of solution then confrontation,” Hemant urged. But before he began speaker snubbed him silence.  “You must be feeling very happy in protecting your DCs and DDCs. They won’t be helpful for you. Minister please mind you will not remain on this post till life,” Singh said.  Hemant could not marshal courage to continue in the face of mounted assault; none from the treasury, and, even JMM MLAs appeared harsh on him.

Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh even suggested the House and Speaker to move resolution to do away with MLA Area Fund if government can’t provide it. “I request the Chair not to give further ruling in this matter because these are not taken seriously,” he said.

But the first half of the session and question hour were gutted in the Nagari land row as the House was adjourned before to start. Quite surprisingly, the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) remained which had stalled the House on previous day over Panem issue, did not rake-up it on Tuesday.

JVM and other Opposition demanded special debate over Nagari land row. The demand was fiercely opposed by the treasury bench which alleged Opposition (JVM particularly) for taking the House on ransom. Before the session around 50 farmers of Nagari and agitators converged on assembly’s outer premise. They handed over bouquets made of paddy to MLAs and requested them to persuade the government to withdraw from 227 acres of arable land where three elite academic institutions are proposed. Despite adjournment MLAs continued pitched battle over Nagari and Panem.

The house symbolically did a good job of passing the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Act to help practicing lawyer with Rs. 50000 of financial assistance for treatment of critical disease.