SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 5: Thousands of Jain community members including women and children today took out a silent massive march in protest against the declaration of the Parasnath hills region as a tourist spot by the state government.
As per their pre-announced programme today, besides Giridih, Jain community members from different districts of Jharkhand including Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribag, Koderma, Bokaro and Dhanbad assembled at Giridih town-based Bada Chowk Digamber Jain temple at 1 PM and took out a silent march in support of their demands.
The procession led by women members after crossing through different areas of Giridih township especially Agrasen Chowk, Padam Chowk, Kaliwadi Chowk, and Tower Chowk reached the famous Jhanda Maidan.
From there the delegation of community members reached the collectorate by vehicle and handed over the memorandum to the deputy commissioner (DC) for the Jharkhand chief minister and Prime Minister.
Sammed Shikarji, situated on Parasnath hills of Giridih district, is considered the most pious place for Jains across the world. The followers claim 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras have attained salvation at Sammed Shikharji.
The demands of the Jain community have got the support of all sectors as members of Marwari, Sikh and Barnbal participated in large numbers in the silent march community. Town residents claimed that it was ever largest silent march in Giridih witnessed in three decades in protest of any decision of the government.
From the security point of view, a silent march was being monitored by a drone camera and senior officials of district and police administration deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Sanjay Rana, SDPO Anil Kumar Singh, Mufassil police station officer-in-charge Vinay Kumar Singh were seen escorting the procession.
