The ongoing dispute over ‘Hul Diwas’ celebrations in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand took a violent turn on Monday when arrows were launched and police were forced to use action against Santhals at Bhognadih.
‘Hul Diwas’ is observed across the country to commemorate the historic Santhal Hul rebellion of 1855.
A programme was organised by Mandal Murmu, a descendant of the renowned Santhal revolutionaries Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, at Sidhu Kanhu Park in Bhognadih. Prior to the event, police detained several individuals, including Mandal Murmu.
Sources indicated that the situation escalated when the administration dismantled the event tent during the night, prompting unrest among the villagers. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren and former MLA Sita Soren were scheduled to attend the programme.
Tensions rose further after the detention of Mandal Murmu and others, leading to a clash between villagers and the police. To disperse the crowd, police resorted to a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells.
Reports suggest that both policemen and villagers sustained injuries during the altercation. The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi strongly condemned the police action against the tribal community on the occasion of Hul Diwas.
Marandi remarked that the brutality witnessed today evokes memories of British colonial rule. On the sacred land of the Hul revolution, six generations later, the descendants of Sidhu-Kanhu are once again compelled to rise against oppression and injustice.
He further stated that the state government, aligned with external forces, appears unwilling to allow the tribal community of Jharkhand to draw inspiration from the heroic legacy of their ancestors and unite in defence of their identity and rights.
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