KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, July 4: Life across Kolhan was partially affected on Tuesday as activists of Olchiki Hul Baisi forced to make a 12-hour Jharkhand bandh call effective in support of the outfit’s four-points charter of demand.
The Jharkhand bandh call which has the support of the Aadivasi Suraksha Parishad also cast its impact, especially in the rural areas where shops and educational institutions remained closed.
The bandh call impacted the urban areas too as vehicular communication through the NH-33 and other important roads was completely affected due to the agitation.
The protagonist of the Jharkhand bandh call set up blockades by burning tyres and squatting on the roads at strategic points, especially at the entrances of the steel city in East Singhbhum, Seraikela and Chandil township in the Seraikela-Kharsawan and Chaibasa- Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum districts.
Industrial activities in Jamshedpur and Adityapur industrial area were also affected majorly due to the blockades set up on the important roads.
Though adequate police arrangements were made in view of the proposed bandh, the police personnel could do nothing except for ensuring that the bandh supporters, who were carrying traditional weapons, may not cause any damage to the life and property of the commuters during the agitation.
A social outfit of the tribals, the Olchiki Hul Baisi wants Olchiki to be included as the first official language, a separate Santali Academy, printing of books in Olchiki script besides using the language as a medium of instruction in schools and appointments of teachers having command of Olchiki language.
A leader of the Olchiki Hul Baisi said the outfit had apprised the Jharkhand government about their demands ever since a separate Jharkhand state was created, but the state govt has been ignoring the demands.
“As the state government has been turning a blind eye to our legitimate demands, we were left with no option than to resort to the agitational path by giving a call for Jharkhand bandh. Our agitation will continue until the state government does not meet the demands,” said the leader while talking to lagatar24.com.
