Jharkhand bandh has tremendous impact in five districts, dozens of trains stuck, many highways stalled

Ranchi (IANS). 12 meetings were called on Tuesday by tribal organizations to demand the status of Santali language as the first official language in Jharkhand, publication of text books in Olchiki script, formation of Santali Academy and teaching of this language in schools and colleges of the state. The hour-long Jharkhand bandh had a tremendous impact in many areas of the state.

In Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Ramgarh, Dumka, Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, bandh supporters blocked highways to railway tracks. Bandh supporters also blocked roads in some other districts. Train operations on the Tata-Kharagpur rail section came to a standstill since Tuesday morning. Thousands of bandh supporters who descended on several major roads including Ranchi-Tata, Ranchi-Patna, Dumka-Rampurhat, Dumka-Bhagalpur, Chaibasa-Tata blocked various places. There was a long queue of vehicles at various places. Thousands of people stuck in jam at different places remained upset. Tires were set on fire at many places on the roads. Bandh supporters sat on dharna at various places on the railway tracks.

Durgacharan Murmu, the state general secretary of Olchiki Hul Baisi, the largest organization that has called the bandh, has said that this 12-hour bandh has been called only to convey the message of its demands to the government. If our demands are not met, an indefinite strike will be called in the coming days. Govindpur under Chakradharpur railway division, Talaburu railway gate of Haldipukhur railway section, Chiruguda situated between Ghatshila and Dhalbhumgarh stations of Kharagpur railway division, Dumka-Rampur railway section in Santhal Pargana, dozens of trains standing at various places due to bandh supporters sitting Stayed Railways had to operate many long distance trains through diverted routes.

Many trains like Tatanagar-Badampahar MEMU Special, Gorakhpur-Shalimar Express, Okha-Shalimar Express, CSMT-Howrah Mumbai Mail, Pune-Howrah Azad Hind Express, LTT Shalimar Kurla Express, Ahmedabad-Howrah Express, were halted at various stations. Markets also remained closed in many areas of Jamshedpur and Chaibasa.

Hundreds of men and women agitators blocked Highway 49 and Highway 18 in Bahragora since morning. There was a jam of eight to ten kilometers on both these roads. Similarly, in Dumka, the agitators remained on the main roads leading to Rampurhat and Bhagalpur since 8 am. The Ranchi-Patna road was blocked for hours in Ramgarh district. Police-administration did not work in front of bandh supporters. There was silence in market-haat at many places including Chandil, Musabani, Adityapur, Chakulia, Chaibasa.