Activists from various tribal organisations took to the streets on Saturday morning to enforce an 18-hour bandh in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
The bandh was called in protest against the construction of a flyover near the Sarna Sthal, a sacred site of tribal religious significance. Protestors were seen burning tyres and blocking roads, particularly in the outskirts of the city, as they attempted to disrupt normal life.
One of the major disruptions occurred on the Ranchi-Lohardaga road, which was blocked near Titla Chowk, while demonstrators also gathered at Kanke Chowk and other key locations in the city to enforce the bandh. Due to the protest, there was a noticeable decline in the number of vehicles on the roads in Ranchi, especially in the morning hours.
The primary demand of the protestors is the removal of a ramp being built in Siram Toli, as they believe it obstructs access to the religious site and could disturb its sanctity due to the frequent movement of traffic. In the lead-up to the bandh, several tribal organisations organised a torchlight procession on Friday evening to rally public support for their cause.
The protestors accused the government of neglecting their concerns and failing to take any corrective measures despite repeated appeals.
They argued that when thousands of tribals gather at Siram Toli Sarna Sthal during Sarhul, their most significant festival, the presence of the flyover ramp would create obstacles and disrupt access to the sacred site.
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In response to the bandh call, Ranchi police implemented extensive security measures to prevent any untoward incidents. The administration has urged protestors to maintain peace and ensure that their demonstration does not inconvenience the general public.
In an official statement, the district administration issued strict instructions that no supporter of the bandh or chakka jam should cause disruptions to traffic, hinder the movement of dignitaries and students, or obstruct members of educational institutions and the general public.
The ongoing controversy centers around the construction of a 2.34-km-long elevated road, which includes a 132-meter section over a railway line.
The project, launched in August 2022, aims to improve traffic flow by connecting Siram Toli to Mecon. According to officials, the total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 340 crore.
However, tribal groups remain firm in their opposition, arguing that the government should have considered alternative solutions to avoid interfering with their sacred site.
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