Jharkand: United Opposition announces protests against land bill amendment

A united Jharkhand opposition on Monday called for a series of protests, culminating in a shutdown on July 5, against the amendment in Land Acquisition Act 2013.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the house of the Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), attended by leaders of the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik and Left parties.

Announcing the agitation programme at a joint press conference with opposition leaders, Soren also demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government should come out with a white paper on land given to investors after Momentum Jharkhand meet held in February 2017.

"The state government should also come with status report of land falling in Jharkhand under Chotanagpur Tenancy Act meant to safeguard the land of the tribals after creation of the state in November 2000," added the former Chief Minister.

Announcing the agitation programme, the opposition leaders said on June 21, sit-ins will be organised at block level and effigy burning of the government will take place. On June 25, sit-ins will be organised at the district level and then at the Raj Bhavan subsequently.

The amendment bill, which ended the social impact study for land acquisition for certain projects like railway, colleges, irrigation, roads, and other projects, was passed by voice vote by the assembly in August 2017 over the opposition's vociferous protests and had received the President's assent this month.

Justifying the amendment, the state government had said that people-oriented projects are delayed due to social impact studies.