Ranchi, Nov 11 Jharkhand BJP leaders and workers on Wednesday took out a march in Ranchi, demanding the arrest of those named in the case related to the death of tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat and seeking justice for her.
Bhagat allegedly died by suicide on November 6 after going live on Facebook, during which she accused the Hemant Soren-led state government and land brokers of harassing her.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into her death, hours after the officer-in-charge of Pithoria police station was removed following allegations of a conspiracy.
The activist’s parents had also alleged a conspiracy behind her death and demanded a CBI probe.
The march began at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and culminated at Jail More Museum, with hundreds of BJP workers raising slogans demanding justice for Bhagat and an end to alleged atrocities against tribals.
“Merely ordering a CBI probe into the case is not enough. It is only a small step towards justice for the deceased activist. Those who harassed Nisha have not been arrested so far, despite being named as accused in the case registered on the basis of her father’s statement. Until the named accused are arrested, we will continue to take to the streets,” Ranchi Mahanagar BJP president Varun Sahu said.
He alleged that the state government was merely trying to “whitewash” the issue.
“CM Soren is merely whitewashing the issue. The named accused, Ajay Tirkey and Jyotsna Kerketta, are giving statements to the media. The Pithoria police station officer-in-charge, whose name the activist mentioned in her last moments, has only been sent to the police lines. All these actions look like mere formalities in the name of taking action against the culprits,” Sahu alleged.
The BJP has demanded the arrest of both the named accused, he said.
The procession was part of the party’s pre-announced four-day agitation across all five districts of the South Chotanagpur division, which began on November 10.
He also said that the party has put the call for a bandh on November 18 on hold for now.
Police registered an FIR against the two accused on November 7 based on a complaint lodged by the activist’s father, Handu Bhagat.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) directed the Jharkhand government on Tuesday to submit a report on the incident within seven days.
On November 7, the National Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of the case and directed authorities here to ensure a time-bound investigation and submit a detailed action-taken report within seven days.
(PTI News)
