NewsWing

Ranchi: VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia blamed the Congress for continuing the British policy of ‘Divide & Rule’. The census based on castes is a direct example of dividing the Hindu community per se alleged tagodia. He vehemently opposed it and went to the extent of stating that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) would organize a nationwide agitation to protest the step.

Praveen Tagodia was in Ranchi on a day’s visit and addressed the local media. He added that the Congress was conspiring to divide the Hindus for their selfish gains and VHP would not let that happen. He however did not respond that the BJP was in favor of such a census.

Tagodia demanded a Narco test on ex-home minister Shivraj Patil for defending the main culprit of the Parliament attack, Afzal Guru against the Capital punishment. He termed Patil as a national traitor and demanded that he be treated as one. He reiterated that the narco test would expose all the persons involved in defending Afzal Guru and the entire nation had a right to know the truth.

Tagodia targeted the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh for delivering his speech in urdu at a meeting in Srinagar. Tagodia challenged the PM to speak in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada in Southern India, then it would be acclaimed that the PM was impartial. His urdu speech only reeked of partisan sentiments to draw muslim votes in the sector.

Ranchi: The elections to thr two Rajya Sabha (RS) seats from the State have taken an interesting turn as three candidates jump into the fray. The safest passage seems likely for the Congress candidate Dheeraj Sahu as Babulal Marandi’s JVM has finally given its consent to support Congress. In all likelihood the five RJD MLAs would also vote for him.

Neither RD Singh of JMM nor Ajay Maroo of BJP has the requisite numbers. JMM alongwith AJSU has 23 to BJP/JD’s 20. The role of Independents would be vital as JMM needs the support of 5 while BJP has to muster the support of eight.

Even within the JMM the picture is not very clear as most of its MLAs are unaware of the Party’s candidate. However they would go by the dictates of their Supremo Shibu Soren. Ajay Maroo is banking on the last minute support of AJSU as Sudesh Mahto has neither confirmed nor declined his support to JMM candidate. He expressed his unhappiness on the selection of an external candidate by the JMM and would finally decide on the date of voting.

JMM is likely to get the support of two independents Videsh Singh and Chamra Linda and may hope to swing Harinarain Rai’s vote in its favor. Rai is at present languishing in Jail in the disproportionate assets case. Geeta Koda may also vote in favor of JMM. Still JMM would be short by one vote. CPI (Male) Binod Singh is expected to abstain. Bandhu Tirkey has categorically stated that he would not support any outsider and will all likelihood vote for Congress as he has strong reservations against the BJP.

In all it would be an interesting tussle to watch on the D-Day.

|| अमलेन्दु उपाध्याय ||
पश्चिम बंगाल के मिदनापुर जिले में सरडीहा के पास हुई रेल दुर्घटना के तुरंत बाद देश भर में मचे बवंडर ने एक बारगी यह सोचने को मजबूर कर दिया था कि क्या वास्तव में भारत के नक्सलवादी नरपिशाच हैं? दुर्घटना स्थल पर पहुंची रेल मंत्री ममता बनर्जी ने जिस बेशर्मी और बेहूदगी से इसके लिए नक्सलवादियों को जिम्मेदार ठहराते हुए अपनी और अपने विभाग के निकम्मेपन से पल्ला झाड़ा और हमारे लोकतंत्र के तथाकथित चैथे स्तंभ बड़े पूंजीपतियों के टुकड़ों पर पलने वाले राष्ट्रीय मीडिया ने जिस निर्लज्जता के साथ इस दुर्घटना को नक्सली हमला करार दिया उसने मीडिया, नक्सलवाद और लोकतंत्र में नैतिकता के प्रश्नों पर एकबारगी फिर सोचने पर मजबूर कर दिया है।
पहली बात तो नक्सलियों की ही की जाए। नक्सलवादियों के लाख दावे के बावजूद कि वह आम आदमी की लड़ाई लड़ रहे हैं, उनके हथियारबंद संघर्ष को जायज नहीं ठहराया जा सकता। सिर्फ इसलिए नहीं कि भारत में लोकतंत्र नाम की कोई चीज सुनाई पड़ती है। बल्कि इसलिए भी कि नक्सली जिस क्रांति की बात करते हैं वह क्रांति उनके इस तरह के रास्ते से नहीं आ सकती है। क्रांति की भूमिका के लिए जो तीन चार प्रमुख कारण बताए जाते है,ं उनमें से कई महत्वपूर्ण कारण अभी भारत में मौजूद नहीं हैं और जब तक यह कारण नहीं होंगे क्रांति सफल नहीं हो सकती है। क्रांति की अनिवार्य षर्त है कि देश के अंदर गृह युद्ध के हालात होने चाहिए और राजनीतिक उठापटक का माहौल होना चाहिए, किसी बाहरी देश के आक्रमण का खतरा हो और राजसत्ता लाचार हो। लेकिन भारत में इस तरह के कोई हालात अभी तो नहीं हैं। सत्तापक्ष और विपक्ष दोनों की आर्थिक नीतियां एक सी हैं और उनमें नीतिगत कोई मतभेद नहीं है बल्कि दोनों एक ही हैं। वहीं देश के अंदर बड़ी तेजी से एक संस्कारविहीन, फर्जीवाड़े की अर्थव्यवस्था की कोख से एक ऐसा उच्च मध्य वर्ग पैदा हुआ है जो स्वयं को पढ़ा लिखा कहता तो है लेकिन है फूहड़। इस वर्ग को नरसिंहराव- मनमोहन- वाजपेयी की तिकड़ी ने फलने फूलने का अवसर दिया है। यह वर्ग राजसत्ता का हिमायती हेै और उसके हर जुल्म- औ- सितम का हिमायती है। ऐसे में गरीबों के हितों की खातिर की जाने वाली कोई भी सशस्त्र क्रांति फलीभूत नहीं हो सकती है।
तो क्या नक्सलियों को आम आदमी की लड़ाई लड़ना बंद कर देना चाहिए? बिल्कुल नहीं! लेकिन उन्हें अपना रास्ता बदल देना चाहिए। पहले आम जनता के बीच जाकर समझाएं कि वह करना क्या चाहते हैं और उनका आम आदमी से कोई बैर नहीं है और पूंजीवादी मीडिया उनके खिलाफ मिथ्या प्रचार कर रहा है। वरना यही होगा जो सरडीहा के मामले में मीडिया ने ममता बनर्जी के सहयोग से किया। ममता ने घटनास्थल पर जाकर कहा कि विस्फोट किया गया है। जबकि खुद गृह मंत्रालय और वित्त मंत्री इस आरोप से सहमत नहीं हैं। मीडिया में ही जो रिपोर्ट्स आईं उनके मुताबिक वहां पचास मीटर तक फिश प्लेट्स उखाड़ी गई थीं और मौके पर लगता था कि ट्रैक की कई घंटों से जांच नहीं की गई थी। लेकिन हमारे न्यूज चैनल्स ममता बनर्जी के बयान को ही ले उड़े। हर चैनल चिल्ला रहा था नक्सली हमले में 76 मरे, रेलवे पर लाल हमला। बताया गया कि घटनास्थल से नक्सली समर्थक पीसीपीए के पोस्टर मिले हैं जिसमें इस घटना की जिम्मेदारी ली गई है। लेकिन किसी भी समाचार वाचक ने यह रहस्य खोलने की जहमत नहीं उठाई कि पीसीपीए नक्सलवादी नहीं है, उसे सिर्फ नक्सलियों की हिमायत हासिल है। पीसीपीए मुखिया छत्रधर महतो बाकायदा तृणमूल कांग्रेस का पदाधिकारी था और पिछले विधानसभा चुनाव में पीसीपीए ने तृणमूल कांग्रेस को समर्थन दिया था। इस लिहाज से अगर यह पीसीपीए का काम है तब तो इसके लिए ममता बनर्जी की तृणमूल कांग्रेस ही ज्यादा जिम्मेदार है। वैसे भी तृणमूल जब तब बंगाल में रेलवे ट्रैक पर हमला करती रहती है और फिश प्लेट्स उखाड़ने में उसे महारत हासिल है।
वैसे भी अभी तक की घटनाओं में जब भी नक्सलियों ने रेलवे को कोई नुकसान पहुंचाया है तो तत्काल नजदीक के केबिन और रेलवे स्टेषन को सूचना पहुंचाई है ताकि कोई दुर्घटना न हो। सवाल यह है कि क्या हमारा मीडिया सकलडीहा का ठीकरा नक्सलियों के सिर फोड़कर ममता बनर्जी को निर्दोष साबित करना चाहता है? क्या यह सही नहीं है कि मृतकों में से पचास से भी अधिक ने दुर्धटना के 48 घंटे बाद सरकारी अव्यवस्था के चलते दम तोड़ा है? क्या यह भी सही नहीं है कि राहत ट्रेन दुर्घटनास्थल पर दो धंटे बाद और क्रेन आठ घंटे बाद पहुंची? क्या यह भी सही नहीं है कि रेलवे के सभी बड़े अफसर दुर्घटना स्थल पर ममता बनर्जी के साथ ही अगले दिन पहुंचे ? क्या इसके लिए भी नक्सली ही जिम्मेदार हैं? कायदे से इस दुर्घटना के लिए ममता बनर्जी को ततकाल त्यागपत्र दे देना चाहिए और प्रधानमंत्री को भी चाहिए कि इस हादसे की जांच में ममता की लापरवाही और साजिष की भी निष्पक्ष जांच करवाएं। एक तरफ ममता का कहना है कि घटना स्थल पर फिश प्लेटें बैल्ड की गई थीं और पेंड्रोल क्लिप या फिश प्लेट उखाड़े जाने का कोई प्रश्न ही नहीं है जबकि हमारे मीडिया के साथी ही मौके से बता रहेे हैं कि फिश प्लेटें उखड़ी हुई थीं। फिश प्लेटें उखड़ना रेलवें के लिए कोई नई बात नहीं है। एक अखबार ने खुलासा किया है कि देश की राजधानी दिल्ली से बीस किलोमीटर दूर गाजियाबाद के रास्ते के ट्रैक पर वर्ष 2010 में ही पांच हजार फिश प्लेटें उखड़ी पाई गई हैं। इतना ही नहीं उखड़ी हुई फिश प्लेटों के ऊपर से राजधानी एक्सप्रेस गुजर जाने की भी खबरें पिछले दिनों आई थीं। जाहिर है दिल्ली में अभी नक्सली नहीं पहुंचे हैं ममता आपा!!
लगातार तीन दिन तक हमारे समाचारपत्रों ने सरडीहा की दुर्घटना पर तो दस बीस लाइनें ही लिखी होंगी लेकिन नक्सलियों पर कई कई पन्ने काले किए। हमारे बड़े पत्रकारों ने अपनी लेखनी का सारा कला कौशल नक्सलियो पर ही खर्च कर दिया। किसी ने लिखा- ‘नक्सलियों ने फिर ढाया कहर’, तो किसी ने लिख डाला- ‘ भारत के लिए सबसे बड़ी चुनौती बनते जा रहे नक्सलियों ने पं. बंगाल में ट्रेन को निशाना बनाकर 76 मुसाफिरों को मार डाला’। गोया भूख गरीबी अषिक्षा और स्वास्थ्य जैसे मुद्दे अब भारत के लिए चुनौती रहे ही नहीं बस नक्सली ही रह गए हैं।
वह तो गनीमत है कि कुछ दिन पहले ही एयर इंडिया का विमान मंगलौर में दुर्घटनाग्रस्त हुआ। कहीं इत्तेफाक से यह दंतेवाड़ा या मिदनापुर में दुर्घटनाग्रस्त हुआ होता तो हमारे मीडिया के धुरंधर इसका इलजाम भी नक्सलियों के सिर रखते। तमाषा यह है कि पूरे मीडिया ने नक्सलियों को दोष मढ़ने में तो कोई देरी नहीं की लेकिन भाकपा माओवादी के मयूरभंज-पूर्वी सिंहभूम बाॅर्डर एरियेा कमेटी के प्रवक्ता मंगल सिंह के इस बयान कि ज्ञानेश्वरी एक्सप्रेस के विस्फोट में भाकपा माओवादी का हाथ नहीं हैं ऐसी घटनाओं से आम आदमी के साथ साथ माओवादी संगठन को भी नुकसान होता है ऐसी स्थिति में उनका संगठन ऐसी घटना को क्यों अंजाम देगा, को एक दो अखबारों ने ही कहीं कोने में लगाया। मीडिया के शोर में मंगल सिंह की यह आवाज कि ‘हम आम आदमी के हित में उनके अधिकारों की रक्षा के लिए संघर्ष करते हैं न कि उन्हें नुकसान पहुंचाने के लिए?’ दबकर रह गई।
सरडीहा दुर्घटना की एफआईआर में नक्सलवादियों का जिक्र न होने पर स्यापा करने वाले हमारे बड़े पत्रकार साथी क्या अपनी असली जिम्मेदारी पर भी ध्यान देंगे????

( लेखक राजनीतिक समीक्षक एवं वरिष्ठ पत्रकार हैं।)
अमलेन्दु उपाध्याय
द्वारा एससीटी लिमिटेड
सी- 15, मेरठ रोड इंडस्ट्रियल एरिया
गाजियाबाद
मो 9313517853 

Ranchi: JMM supreme Shibu Soren and his son and leader of the Parliamentary Party in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren returned from the Delhi trip empty handed, the JMM legislative Party’s differences surfaced openly. 8 of the JMM MLAs with the support of two independent MLAs filed the support papers for industrialist K D Singh for the Rajya Sabha seat..

Both the father/son duo tried in vain to gain the support of both the BJP as well as the Congress. Both the National Parties evinced least interest in even listening to the proposals of the JMM father-son duo.

It may be recalled that Shibu Soren had more or less nominated his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as the JMM candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat which was vehemently opposed by the Party legislators. K D Singh filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha seat today.

Both Shibu and Hemant had no specific reply to the alliance issue and repeated the earlier statement that both the national parties were being contacted for an alliance to form the government.

The Rajya Sabha elections are slated for 17th instant.

Ranchi: A heavy cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during a raid by the Ranchi police in the Namkum PS by the CRPF, foiling the intended naxal attack.

Ranchi SSP Praveen Singh said that on a tip-off the police and CRPF raided the jungles of Lali Jungle and seized the consignment meant for the naxal onslaught. The explosives were in the form of can-bombs. The raided area allegedly belongs to naxal leader Kundan Pahan. Security has been intensified in the area.

Ranchi: Planning Commissioner Sunil Barnwal stated that every village will have the social auditing completed within the next fortnight. He stated this at a workshop in Ranchi on Saturday. He reiterated the stand that women would get the agreed 1/3rd reservation. All the members conducting the audit would be imparted training, he added.

The Panchayati Raj officials would be provided with a diary to monitor the proceedings and progress. Each diary will be numbered for proper verification, he added. Two hundred people are slated for the purpose. Barnwal added that such Workshops would be conducted at all district levels to ensure awareness and active participation.

Barnwall added that all the pending developmental projects would be executed at break-neck speed.

- प्रकाश चण्डालिया -
तृणमूल से राइटर्स बिल्डिंग की सगाई की रस्म 2 जून 2010 को बाकायदा हो चुकी है और उनकी कुड़माई को अब कोई रोक नहीं सकता, यह तय है।

राइटर्स बिल्डिंग की मंगेतर बन चुकी ममता बनर्जी की पार्टी ने सत्ता का सेमीफाइनल जीत कर वाममोर्चा के कोफिन की आखिरी कील का इंतजाम कर दिया है। राज्य की 81 पालिकाओं के लिए हुए मतदान में परिवर्तन की सुनामी ने वामपंथियों के गढ़ में जो कहर बरपा किया है, उससे उबरना अब मुश्किल ही नहीं, नामुमकिन सा लगता है। और यह चिन्तन इसलिए उभर रहा है, क्योंकि लोकसभा चुनाव के बाद से ही मुख्यमंत्री ने हुकूमत चलाने की इच्छाशक्ति खो दी थी। एक साल का समय कम नहीं होता, पर मुख्यमंत्री हार के गम से उबर नहीं पाए। यही हाल वाममोर्चा के चेयरमैन विमान बोस का रहा। उनसे अपेक्षा थी कि सूझबूझ का परिचय देते हुए संगठन को दुरूस्त करेंगे, साथ ही प्रदेश की जनता के मन में पैठ बनाने के लिए नए सिरे से प्रयास करेंगे, पर ऐसा हुआ ही नहीं। विमान बोस या तो ममता बनर्जी पर जुबानी पत्थर बरसाने में लगे रहे, या ममता के पत्थरों की बरसात से बचने के ऊपाय ढूंढते रहे। प्रदेश में शायद ही कोई ऐसा जिला होगा, जहां वामपंथ के कद्दावर नेताओं ने अपनी हार के सितमगरों से मुकाबिल होने के लिए कोई पुख्ता प्रबन्ध किए होंगे। सच कहें तो इनकी दुर्बल मन:स्थिति ही हार के लिए जिम्मेदार है। यह तथ्य किससे छिपा है कि वाममोर्चा गठबंधन के पास लोकसभा के ठीक पहले तक लगभग 50 फीसद सूबे का समर्थन था। मान भी लिया जाए कि सूबे में घूमघूमकर ममता बनर्जी ने अपने पक्ष में लहर पैदा की, तो इससे मुकाबिल होने के लिए वामपंथी नेताओं ने सियासी इंतजाम क्यों नहीं किए?

नंदीग्राम और सिंगुर जैसे मसले लोकसभा चुनाव के पहले तक वामपंथियों के पक्ष में माने जा रहे थे। कारोबारी मिजाज वाले लोग ममता बनर्जी को कभी भी गंभीरता से नहीं लेते थे। 2009 के प्रारंभ में कोलकाता के धर्मतल्ला में 26 दिनों की भूख हड़ताल से लेकर सिंगुर में लोकसभा चुनाव के ऐन पहले तक लगातार चले अनशन के दौरान ममता बनर्जी का दांव कभी भी शहरी मतदाता के गले नहीं उतरा। लोग ममता को हड़तालवादी, विनाशकारी और न जाने क्या-क्या कहने लगे थे। टाटा का नैनो प्रकल्प बंगाल से गुजरात चला गया, तब भी ममता पर ही तर्जनी उठी थी। वामपंथियों ने इस जनभावना को अपने पक्ष में रखने का कोई प्रबन्ध नहीं किया। लोकसभा चुनाव के पहले तक पूरा मीडिया ममता के खिलाफ था। लोग ममता को विकास का बनाम मानते थे। लेकिन, अकेली ममता बनर्जी ने वामपंथियों के लालगढ़ को भेदने में एक-एक पल का भरपूर इस्तेमाल किया।

पलकों में महीनों की नींद लेकर जगती रहीं ममता ने वामपंथियों को सत्ता के नशे की गहरी नींद में सुला दिया। कोलकाता के एक टीवी चैनल में बुधवार को चर्चा के दौरान मैंने इस बात को तर्क और तथ्यों के साथ उठाया तो वामपंथियों के सहोदर फारवर्ड ब्लाक के वरिष्ठ नेता, कोलकाता के मेयर और सांसद रह चुके श्यामसुंदर गुप्ता ने भी स्वीकृति में सिर हिलाया। वामपंथियों को मानना पड़ेगा कि जितना नुकसान उन्हें ममता बनर्जी ने पहुंचाया है, उतना ही नुकसान उनके कद्दावर नेताओं ने भी पहुंचाया है। पिछले एक-डेढ़ वर्षों में अलीमुद्दीन स्ट्रीट से कैडरों को समवेत होने लायक कोई ठोस कार्यक्रम नहीं दिए गए। नतीजा यह रहा कि लाल विचारधारा से कैडरों का मोह भंग होने लगा।

वामपंथियों के पास अब वक्त नहीं रह गया है। वे अगर ममता की आवाज पर ध्यान देते हुए वक्त से पहले विधानसभा चुनाव करवाते हैं तो भी नुक्सान है और तय वक्त पर 2011 में कराते हैं तो भी। 35 वर्ष की हुकूमत के बाद एक बार मोर्चा की सत्ता पर विराम लगना अवश्यंभावी प्रतीत हो रहा है। ज्योति बसु की आत्मा को इससे दुख अवश्य पहुंचेगा।

वक्त रहते वामपंथियों को बुनियादी तौर पर दो-एक कार्य अवश्य करने चाहिए। मुहम्मद सलीम जैसे सुलझे नेता या उनके कद के किसी नेता को उपमुख्यमंत्री पद का ओहदा देकर पूरे राज्य में एक संदेश फैलाना चाहिए कि अल्पसंख्यक मतदाताओं के वास्तविक पैरोकार वे ही हैं। हालांकि इससे कोई चमत्कारिक लाभ की उम्मीद बेमानी होगी, फिर भी भविष्य को ध्यान में रखते हुए ऐसा इसलिए करना चाहिए, क्योंकि सत्ता में आने के बाद ममता की बॉडी लांग्वेज बदलने पर जब अल्पसंख्यक मतदाता उनसे छिटकें तो वामपंथियों की झोली में पुन: लौट आएं। राज्य के गरीब मजदूर और किसानों के लिए जो अपेक्षित था और किया नहीं जा सका, उस पर तुरन्त कुछ कार्य अवश्य होना चाहिए। ऐसा इसलिए जरूरी है, क्योंकि अर्थमंत्री डा. असीम दासगुप्ता की पहल पर शीघ्र ही राज्य मुख्यालय पूर्ण शीतताप नियंत्रित हो जाएगा, पर गरीब किसान-मजदूर के घर निवाले का टोटा इससे दूर नहीं होने वाला।

सर्वहारा की पैरोकारी करने वाले कोलकाता में बैठे वामपंथियों से अल्पसंख्यक, बेरोजगार युवक, मजदूर, किसान आदि का मोह भंग होना सबसे बड़ा कारण है। यही नहीं, इस सवाल का जवाब तो राज्य में निवेश करने वाले बड़े कारोबारी में मांग रहे हैं कि सोमनाथ चटर्जी का उदारवादी चेहरा दिखाकर एक दशक पहले औद्योगिक विकास निगम के माध्यम से प्रतिदिन जो सैंकड़ों-हजारों करोड़ के निवेश का झांसा दिया गया था, उसमें कितना निवेश कारगर रूप में लगा और कितनों को रोजगार मिला? गरीब किसानों की जमीन आज बंजर क्यों पड़ी है? अरबों रूपए खपाकर कारोबारी क्यों रो रहे हैं? वामपंथियों के लिए अगले एक साल तक हर दिन-हर पल जोखिम भरा है। सरकार पूर्ण रूप से वेंटिलेटर पर टिका दी गयी है।

लेकिन इससे अधिक यह भी सत्य है कि ममता बनर्जी के हुकूमत में आ जाने से भी प्रदेश में चल रहा अमावसी दौर नया उजाला नहीं ला पाएगा। ममता की अपनी लड़ाकू छवि हो सकती है, पर उनकी अकड़, उनकी जिद, उनका बचपना, उनका बिदकना, उनकी कार्यशैली प्राइमरी में पढऩे वाले बच्चे की चिंतनधारा से अलग नहीं है। उनके साथ जो चेहरे हैं, और उन चेहरों के पीछे जो सच छिपा है, उन चेहरों से जो भाषा निकलती है-वह कहीं से गणतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया में विश्वास करने वाले के लिए सम्मानजनक नहीं है। केंद्रीय मंत्री बन चुके तृणमूल के कुछ बड़े नेताओं की भाषा से तो वामपंथी विचारधारा में विश्वास रखने वाला छोटा कैडर भी सभ्य भाषा बोलता है।
जिद और अकड़ पर सूबे में हुकूमत चलाने की सोच उन्हें कभी भी पटखनी दे सकती है। आखिर वामपंथियों की अपनी नीति रही है। सांगठनिक अनुशासन रहा है, साथ चलने वाले मोर्चे की सहोदर पार्टियों के नेताओं का विरोध सहने का धैर्य है, लेकिन यह सब गुण ममता में कहीं नहीं हैं। एक दर्जन पार्टियों को 35 सालों से एक साथ लेकर हुकूमत चला पाना वामपंथियों के वश की ही बात है। बात-बात पर गठजोड़ करना और तोड़ लेना वामपंथियों के इतिहास में कहीं नहीं रहा है। हुकूमत और संगठन चलाने का उनका तरीका देश में किसी भी पार्टी से कहीं अधिक कामयाब रहा है। हार के बाद फिर से उठने में भी उन्हें अधिक समय लगेगा, ऐसा मैं नहीं मानता।

Ranchi: Home Minister P C Chidambaram is likely to visit Ranchi on the 5th of this month, according to reliable sources in the Raj Bhavan. It is expected that his visit will speed up the ‘Operation Green Hunt’. As now the State is under President’s rule the Home Minister will have a free hand to speed up the anti naxalism operation in the State. The Green Hunt Operation was in a limbo as it was not getting the requisite support of the State Government due to the soft attitude of Shibu Soren towards the naxalites.

The Congress workers were the worst to suffer as they were being singled out by the naxalites for being the main target. Many Congress leaders at the district level lost their lives to the naxal ire. This was forcing a exodus of Congress workers away from the Party.

P C Chidambaram is likely to visit Chattisgarh and Orissa after the Ranchi visit to formulate a definite line of action on the Operation Green Hunt.

Ranchi: Governor M O H Farook got down to business immediately after the imposition of President’s rule in the State. Yesterday itself he summoned all the secretaries of various departments including the Chief Secretary and the DGP and gave specific instructions to speed up the developmental work in the State. He laid special importance on curbing corrupt practices within the secretariat and instructed the vigilance department to be on full alert and immediate action.

The Governor visited the Secretariat at Project Bhavan on Wednesday morning and held a review meeting with all the officials. He instructed the Secretaries of various departments to travel more frequently to the rural areas of the State to ensure that development work and implementation of government sponsored programmes are carried out in full earnest.

The Governor was concerned about the slow development in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna. He directed the concerned department’s Secretaries to personally supervise the progress and enforce strictures against the negligent officials.

The Governor also instructed the concerned department to ensure that the Panchayat elections in the State are held at the earliest. The Governor spent more than two hours at the secretariat prior to flying off to Delhi to meet the Home Minister P C Chidambaram.

Ranchi: The entire State was held to ransom from 6AM till 5.30PM by the 6500 workers from 11 unions of the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB). It was a virtual black-out as transmission of power was stopped by the striking workers. Even the entire staff of PTPS and TVNL joined the strike.

The announcement of the strike was given long back but due to the uncertainty prevailing in the political arena, the demands of the workers were not given importance. It was a co-incidence that the strike was on the very day President’s rule was imposed in the State.

Till late last night JSEB Chairman N N Pandey tried to dissuade the workers from going on strike but his attempt proved to be futile.

The workers were demanding 30% increase in wages, the dues of sixth Pay Commission recommendation be made in one shot and implementation of promotional scales.

The workers’ Co-ordination Committee headed by M. P. Yadav told this corrospondent that the demands were more or less met by the Board and the Chairman had given assurance that a special committee would look into the demands and the same would be implemented after the submission of his report. Yadav added that the chairman had agreed to disburse the due amount of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendation and 70% of the amount would be kept in the GPF and 30% paid in cash to the workers in one lot. It was also agreed that two promotional scales would be given to those not availing promotion.

From the Board’s side apart from Chairman N. N .Pandey, Energy Secretary Rajbala Verma,Members A. K. Singh, S. N. Choudhary, J N S Munda and JSEB Secretary S K Sinha were present. From the workers co-ordination committee apart from Chief Co-ordinator M P Yadav, Secretary Ram Krishna Singh, B. N. Singh, Roshan Gudiya, K K Mahto, Uday Prasad and Ram Bahadur Singh were present for negotiations.

Normalcy of power supply resumed at around 5.30PM in many parts of the State, much to the relief of over 10million people.

Ranchi: President’s Rule was imposed in Jharkhand on Tuesday after the Central Cabinet put its stamp of approval. This is the second time in the past twelve months when imposition of President’s rule in the State was necessitated.

After Shibu Soren’s resignation the Governor M O H Farook invited the leaders of all the Parties to fathom the possibility of forming a stable government but none of the major party volunteered to stake claim. The Governor was thus left with no other alternative than to submit his report to the Centre recommending President’s rule. The Assembly has been put in suspended animation.

Immediately after the announcement, the blame game began with all the major players blaming each other for the current scenario.

BJP’s Baidyanath Ram squarely blamed the Congress for the fiasco. He alleged that the Congress had always been playing such behind the curtain drama and they had ‘schemed’ to dislodge the BJP-JMM alliance. He further charged the Congress for creating faction within the JMM. The Congress wanted to rule the State through the Governor he added.

State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu did not mince words in blaming the BJP for the current situation. He alleged that BJP was only power hungry and had no respect for its allies. The ‘greed’ of Chief Ministerial post led to the fall of the current government. They had unashamedly insulted Shibu Soren forcing the veteran leader to even apologise. Even after being provided the offer to form a government, the BJP could not even decide on the CM. One full month the entire State was held to ransom by the BJP and all the developmental work came to a complete stand still. BJP itself was facing stiff opposition within the Party on formation of a government as most of the senior Party leaders had reservations.

Balmuchu added that his Party was neither in favor of President’s rule nor mid-term elections. His Party did not have sufficient numbers to stake claim and had even appealed to all like minded Parties to unite to form a stable democratically elected government.

JMM’s General Secretary Vinod Pandey said that Guruji resigned as none of the National Parties came forward with their support. JMM had clearly stated that it would support the Party seeking its help but none of the National Party came forward with any proposal.

JVM’s office remained closed the whole day and none of the senior leaders could be contacted for their reaction.

The general public however was seen heaving a sigh of relief after the imposition of President’s rule. Most of them firmly believed that with the current mandate a stable government looked a far cry and unless JMM un-conditionally supports the UPA, chances of mid-term elections seems bright.

Ranchi: Shibu Soren met the Governor M O H Farook at 10pm on Sunday along with 16 of his MLAs and accompanied by AJSU’s Sudesh Mahto and Independendant Chamra Linda. The four month old drama invoving in numerable meetings and chartered flights to Delhi fizzled off as both the National Parties Congress as well as the BJP decided to vote against the trust motion called for Monday. Shibu led JMM had no other alternative other than to resign rather than face the ignominy of defeat in the House.

The Governor M O H Farook did not make a statement.

Coming out after submitting the resignation AJSU Supremo Sudesh Mahto told the media that the alliance made a sincere effort to save the government and as both the National Parties had their reservations. The current government under Shibu Soren was left with no other alternative than to resign on moral grounds. He however added that the options were still alive in forming a alternative democratically elected government as the State was neither prepared for a by-election so soon or imposition of President’s rule.

JMM leader Haji Hussain Ansari was optimistic that the National Parties would rethink on their stand to ensure that a democratically elected government rules the State.

Neither Shibu Soren nor Hemant Soren spoke to the media after the resignation.

The buzz that Shibu would resign tonight itself had started making news from the evening itself.

- P. Vijay Raghavan

रांची : झारखंड की राजनीति में तेजी से बदलते घटनाक्रम का एक नतीजा सामने आया है। मुख्‍यमंत्री शिबू सोरेन ने आज देर शाम राजभवन जाकर अपना इस्‍तीफा राज्‍यपाल को सौंप दिया है। उनके साथ 16 विधायकों के अलावा आजसू के विधायक व उपमुख्‍यमंत्री सुदेश महतो भी मौजूद थे। ज्ञातब्‍य हो कि कल, 31 मई को, सोरेन को विधानसभा में विश्‍वास मत हासिल करना था। …. विस्‍तृत समाचार जल्‍द ही….

Tribals and farmers lie with sticks outside the Shiva temple, as they wait for blessings from the main priest of the temple during the holy procession of "Manda Festival" in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state on Thursday, May 27, 2010. The reason for this festival is perhaps to appease the sun and pray for rain during the hot and dry month. During this festival, processions are brought out from the premises of the temple of Hindu God Lord Shiva and taken to other villages. The believers walk on fire for good farming, for money good health and other things. In tribal society there is belief that Lord Shiva fulfills the desire of those people participate in the Manda festival. Picture : Mahadeo Sen (Ranchi).

|| Stan Swamy ||
Clause 4.e.(1) of The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, [PESA] says: “ every Gram Sabha shall approve the plans, programmes and projects for social and economic development before such plans, programmes and projects are taken up for implementation . . .;”
Tribal villages are forcibly entered and village people are humiliated : The sad fact is the CRPF forces have barged into several villages in the Districts of Latehar, Palamu, Sareikela-Kharswan, Khunti, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih, East & West Singhbhum and have forcibly occupied these villages. Even after entering the village, they have not had the courtesy to call on the traditional Adivasi leadership such as the munda / manki / pahan / majhi and explain to them the purpose of their coming. Rather, they go about harassing and humiliating every one in the village regardless of whether they are young children, older men, older women, traditional village heads. They pick up any one at will and take him for ‘questioning’, and if they don’t get the answer they expect, they beat up young and old alike. Beating up includes slapping and beating on any part of the body with lathis or with the butt of the gun. One can understand when an elder person gives a small beating to a growing child if the latter has done some mischief in view of correcting the child. But when CRPF jawans mercilessly beat up elderly men with lathis and that too in public, it is absolutely humiliating for these men and violates their sense of self-respect and personal dignity. Another innovative punishment CRPF impose on those younger and older men from whom the expected answer did not come is to make them sit in the hot summer sun till evening without water and food.

Breaking open houses is common, and there are instances of opening fire inside houses. On 27 April 2010, one woman by name of Jasmintha Devi, w/o Jayaram Singh, in Ladhi village, Barwadih thana, Latehar Dt. was shot dead inside her house as she was sleeping on a cot. Another man by name of Pooran Singh of the same village was shot and wounded also inside his house. On 30th April, people of the village, led by Bharatiya Adhim Janjathi Parishad, staged a dharna in front of the Dep. Commissioner’s office and demanded, among other things, a cash compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each for each of the two victims and investigation of the incident by the CBI. As of date, no action has been taken, neither by the district administration nor by the CRPF authorities.

There have been at least 30 instances of wanton beating up involving about 60 persons in the districts of Kharsawan, Latehar alone. Five instances of forcible snatching of money amounting to about Rs. 60,000 have been reported from these districts.

This gives a sufficient indication of the very unsafe situation faced by the rural population of Latehar District.

Women face a greater danger: CRPF-men barge into houses, kicking open the door regardless of whether the women of the house are with their men folk or alone. They open any thing and take away what they like. The little cash people have saved are also taken with impunity. Even vessels are taken for use in their camps; some times they are returned, some times not. If women, especially young women, are found in the house without their men folk, it is all the worse for them.

PESA Act, clause 4. (m). (ii) endows the Gram Sabha with “the ownership of minor forest produce”

People cannot collect minor forest produce from their jungles
The situation in the forest villages where CRPF has pitched its tent is such that people, especially women and children, are not allowed to go into the forest. If any one is seen coming out of the forest, he / she is summoned to the camp and asked which Maoist they have met. If they say they have not met any Maoist but went to collect some minor forest produce, they are slapped, beaten up. One may note here that the summer season is when summer fruits such as mangoe, leechi fruits are available in the jungle. But people are not allowed to enter and collect these fruits in peace. This itself is a serious violation of the rights of rural people. And more seriously, a violation of the constitutional privilege of the Gram Sabha.

PESA Act, clause 4. (m). (iv) endows the Gram Sabha with “the power to manage village markets…”

For the first time in tribal history, the village markets (bazaar) are closing down. The weekly markets which mainly transact business based on minor forest produce are closing down because people are not coming with these goods to the market any more. As such it deals a severe blow to the tribal rural economy. Besides, the weekly markets are not only a place of economic transactions but also provide a homely atmosphere of social & cultural get-together are being seriously affected. Verily an onslaught on the culture of the Adivasi People. An irreparable damage is being to the economic, social, cultural fabrique of Adivasi society.

PESA Act, clause 4. (m). (vi) endows the Gram Sabha with “the power to exercise control over institutions and functionaries in all social sectors;”

Children cannot go to school as the school building are occupied by CRPF
As of now, 50 school buildings in the districts mentioned above have been taken over by CRPF on a permanent basis and 43 school buildings have been taken over on an off-and-on basis. The Gram Sabha’s consent was not even sought. If schools do not function, the mid-day meal also is not given to children. The sad fact is the mid-day meal is the only ‘full meal’ most children get to eat. Should the children too be kicked in their stomach ! An unforgivable act against the poor rural children by the state.
Apart from this is the fact that even if the school is not occupied by the para-military forces, their very presence in the vicinity and their brutal behaviour with people has created a fearful atmosphere in the village preventing children from going to school.

In November 2009, the Jharkhand High Court, in response to a petition filed by PUCL-Ranchi, ordered the CRPF to vacate all school buildings within six months. Six months have passed, but the High Court order has not been complied with. On 17 May 2010, CRPF has approached the High Court and asked for an extension of another six months, and apparently the court has agreed!

The point to ponder is what happens to the children who have been deprived of their school education first for six months, now for another six months? Obviously it is not the concern of the govt as to what happens to the education of these village children. At the same time, the same Congress-led govt has brought in the Right to Education bill precisely for this group of 6 to 14 – age children. What a contradiction!

To conclude, the way Operation Green Hunt is being enforced through CRPF as the main agent of implementation is absolutely devastating the peaceful life of people in the villages of Jharkhand. In fact, this war of the govt against its own people will have the opposite effect of strengthening and increasing the Maoist forces because the harassed and humiliated people will not find any other human alternative than join forces with Maoist comrades. Will some better sense prevail on those who hold the reigns of power?

Note: All the facts mentioned above are collated from the reports of people’s movements in the areas occupied by CRPF in Jharkhand state. – author.

Ranchi: Dena Bank’s Executive Director (ED) Ashok Kumar Dutta said that the bank has registered a nett profit of Rs.511.25cr last fiscal year 2009-10, reflecting an increase of 20.96% from the previous year. The ED was addressing media persons in Ranchi on Friday. He added that the total business of the Bank also registered an increase of 20.59% and stood at Rs.87098cr in the year ending March’2010.

A. K. Dutta told the newspersons that the Bank was opening its 1233rd branch at Ramgarh on Saturday. This would be Dena Bank’s 9th branch in the State. He further added that in June itself two more branches would be opened, one each in Ranchi and Jamshedpur. All the branches of Dena Bank are CBS branches. The Bank does not have an ATM in the State and Dutta announced that four ATMs would be installed at different parts of the State in this financial year itself.

The bank proposes to induct more money in the State to increase its CD ratio which at present stands at around 24% as compared to the national figure of 70%. The bank also proposes to expand its operation in the rural sector of the State very soon added Dutta.

The ED said that the Bank’s stronghold was Gujarat and Dena Bank was also the convener of SLBC in that State.

The ED said that Dena Bank opened 39 branches last year of which seven each were in the rural sector and semi urban sector. In all the Bank has 452 branches in the rural and 229 in the semi urban sectors. He announced that in the current fiscal year the Bank would be opening another 80 branches countrywide for which they had already obtained licence.

Senior Manager of Ranchi branch Alok Kumar Sinha was also present.

Ranchi: Special Session of Jharkhand Assembly has been summoned on 31st. According to JMM’s leader in the House, Hemant Soren, the Party has the magic numbers to prove its majority. The situation looks dicey as both the Congress as well as the BJP are reluctant to tie the knot with Shibu at the helm.

The Congress leaders met at 10,Janpath and decided that Congress would initiate the next step only after Shibu Soren resigns. Even Congress Party’s alliance partner in the State JVM has categorically stated that it would ally with JMM only if the CM is from the JVM.

Hemant Soren’s claim of magical figure hinges on the initiative of a sect of BJP and 10 of his MLAs. It is learnt from reliable sources that BJP is trying to rope in a few independents too to stake claim. The issue of whip from both the Parties may do the trick but somehow looks too far-fetched at this stage.

If BJP was to be handed over the reins than all this effort and permutation combination would not have necessitated and now once the BJP has withdrawn its support it would be difficult to convince even the Governor about the stability part.

Things would become normal only after Shibu resigns and all the 36 MLAs of BJP & JMM agree for the BJP led government. This does not seem likely under the prevailing circumstances.

Anyhow, the matter is bound to be resolved latest by 31st evening after the trust vote, if it happens. Sources however say that the matter would be resolved prior to that without the House being convened for the special session.

Ranchi: Shibu Soren has decided to go ahead in seeking the trust of the House. The trust vote would be conducted in a special session convened on the 31st instant at the ATI, converted as a make shift Assembly since the regular Assembly Hall is undergoing renovation. The information was given to the media by the Speaker C. P. Singh on Thursday.

Earlier the Cabinet fixed 31 May for the Special Session to enable Shibu Soren to seek the trust vote as advised by the Governor M O H Farook on last Monday.

It may be recalled that the BJP withdrew its support to the Shibu led JMM government on 24th instant reducing it to a minority in the House.

Ranchi: Welcome showers in the evening brought a semblance of relief to Ranchiites from the sweltering heat of the blazing sun. Mercury touched nearly 43 degrees Celsius on Wednesday afternoon. It however brought along its share of woes too. The strong wind accompanying the drizzle uprooted trees and its branches falling on power transmission cables causing power failure at most of the areas. Monsoon is slated to reach the State on 10th June, according to meteorological officials. They however warned that the temperature would again go northwards from Thursday.

Ranchi: With hardly four days remaining for Shibu Soren to prove his majority in the House, confusion prevails as to who is going to support to achieve the magical number. Even after withdrawing support from the JMM, a section of the BJP was seen lobbying for a re-alliance with JMM. However, senior leaders both in the State as well as Centre ruled out any such possibility. Senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has demanded imposition of President’s Rule in the State. Former CM Arjun Munda stated that BJP has kept all options open. State president Raghubar Das ruled out any alliance with JMM again.

Shibu’s son and JMM’s leader in the Assembly, Hemant Soren was seen making frantic efforts to pacify the BJP. According to unconfirmed reports both Shibu and Hemant are scheduled to meet BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Thursday. A chartered Plane had arrived at Ranchi Airport on Wednesday night.

Both the Congress as well as JVM are studiously playing the wait & watch game. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Singh and State Congress President Pradeep Balmuchu are camped in Delhi and are scheduled to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi to update her with the State’s current scenario. JVM’s Babulal Marandi has categorically stated that CM would be from his Party if a new coalition is formed involving JVM-JMM. JVM’s Pradeep Yadav said that his Party would oppose the confidence motion of Shibu Soren . He termed Shibu’s continuance as CM was un-constitutional and Governor should immediately sack him.