Jharkhand Andolankari Morcha calls for Jharkhand bandh on April 22

JAMSHEDPUR: Jharkhand Andolankari Morcha (JAM), an organization of activists having participated in the statehood movement, have called for a Jharkhand Bandh on April 22 in protest.

The call was given in protest against the state's alleged indifferent approach to recognize the Jharkhandi activists and withdrawal of the Ordinance aimed to bring in an amendment in the Land Acquisition Act.

Addressing a press conference here, the Convenor of JAM, Surya Singh Besra ridiculed the decision of the Raghuvar Das-headed Jharkhand government to provide Rs. 3000 as monthly pension for activists, who had taken part in the Jaiprakash Narayan movement in mid-1970s while ignoring the cause of Jharkhandi activists, many of whom had sacrificed their lives for the statehood cause.

The state cabinet has approved pension for JP activists without constituting any Commission to identify whereas a three-member Commission had been formed by the Arjun Munda-led NDA government in 2012 to identify the Jharkhandi activists, Besra, who is also the President of Jharkhand People's Party (JPP), claimed.

Besra said they would stage demonstration in front of the district headquarter across the state on April 11 and observe a day-long Jharkhand Bandh on April 22 to mount pressure on the government.