JDP bandh in Jharkhand, tribal parts of WB, Orissa on June 18

JAMSHEDPUR: Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) has called for a bandh in the state and tribal-dominated pockets of neighbouring Orissa and West Bengal on June 18 to exert pressure for implementation of constitutional provisions protecting tribal interests.

Alleging that the union government, state governments and all politicl parties were 'insensitive and unresponsive' to the issue of tribals' fundamental rights, JDP leaders said the conditions of tribals were turning from bad to worse but the political parties were indulging in a race for power.

Party central committee vice-President, Sanaram Soren, general secretaries Iswar Soren and Kaviraj Murmu were present at the press meet.

Informing the state-wide Jharkhand bandh was deliberately called on June 18 to coincide with the municipal election in state, JDP leaders said the elections should not be held in the absence of any notification for Panchayat election under Panchayat (extension to the schedule area) act, 1996.

The state government should immediately hold panchayat election, which did not take place for the last 32 years affecting 80 per cent Adivasis and Moolvasis, they said.

Other demands included implementing Chotanagpur and Santhal Paragana Tenancy act in letter and spirit, protection of tribal land, checking displacement and migration and according state language status to 'santhali' language recognised under 8th schedule of the constitution etc.