Jharkhand: 3 weeks on, CM Hemat Soren yet to expand cabinet.

Source – indiatoday.in

On December 29, when Hemant Soren took over as Jharkhand’s 11th chief minister, he allowed three ministers – two from the Congress and one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to take oath with him. More than three weeks after the swearing-in, Hemant Soren is yet to expand his cabinet too. He has not even allotted potfolios to the three ministers already sworn-n.

According to sources, the most important reason for the delay in cabinet expansion in Jharkhand is that Soren’s ally Congress is insisting on five berths, whereas Hemant Soren is willing to give up only four.

Chief Minister Soren, who is believed to have already discussed the cabinet expansion exercise with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, also has the heavy task of satisfying the aspirations of his own party legislators, besides maintaining a fine balance between tribal and non-tribal claimants of cabinet portfolios.

In the recently concludes Assembly elections, the JMM won 30 seats, which is its highest tally in the assembly since Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in December 2000.

While the Congress is believed to have asked for important portfolios like health, education and rural development, Soren also has to satisfy some of the senior most MLA in his party, majority of whom once worked as close associates of his father Shibu Soren. There are over half-a-dozen JMM legislators who have won the Assembly polls four-five times and are aspiring to be head a key ministry.

Incidentally, Chief Minister Hemant Soren last week postponed his cabinet expansion exercise from set date of January 24 to an unknown date in the future.

Soren, on January 23, had met Governor Draupadi Murmu to schedule the cabinet expansion on January 24. While a time was fixed and preparations were on for the swearing-in, the chief minister once again met the governor in the evening to postpone the scheduled cabinet expansion. Killing of seven tribal persons in West Singhbhum was cited as a reason for the postponement.

Earlier, Soren is believed to have delayed his cabinet expansion exercise till January 15 when kharmas, an inauspicious period in Hindu calendar, ended.

The JMM, the Congress and the RJD won 30, 16 and 1 seat, respectively. With such a majority, Hemant was expected to quickly put his act together, but ironically he has not been able to take any major decisions so far.

The 91st Amendment Act and subsequent insertion of section 1A in Article 164 of the Indian Constitution mandate that the total number of ministers, including the chief minister, in the council of ministers in a state shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of members of the legislative assembly of that state. With a legislative assembly of 81 elected members, Jharkhand can have a maximum of 12 ministers, including the chief minister.

A senior Congress leader told India Today TV that the party wants to have five berths in Hemant Cabinet. The Congress leaders have been arguing that since they gave up their claim to the speaker’s post, the JMM should reciprocate and give five berths.

The state leadership has conveyed its position to the Congress central leadership, which is believed to have conveyed the same to Hemant Soren.

WB PSC civil services WBCS prelims admit card released: Check steps to download, exam pattern.

Source – indianexpress.com

WB PSC civil services prelims admit card: West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) has released the admit card or hall ticket for the West Bengal Civil Service preliminary exam 2020. The admit card can be download at the official website, pscqbonline.gov.in. The WB PSC exam is scheduled to be held on February 9, 2020 (Sunday).

Exam will be held from noon to 2:30 pm. The venue, reporting time and other details will be available in the admit card. The WBPSC Prelims call letter will be available to download till January 31, 2020 as per the official notice. It will also be alternatively downloaded from wbpsc.gov.in and pscwbapplication.in.

WB PSC civil services prelims admit card: How to download

Step 1: Visit the official website, pscwbonline.gov.in
Step 2: On the ‘candidate’s corner’ in the top right of the page, click on ‘download admit card’ link
Step 3: You will be redirected to a new page, click on download
Step 4: Log-in using credentials
Step 5: Admit card in dashboard, download

WB PSC civil services prelims admit card: Exam pattern

The Preliminary Examination will consist of only one paper on general studies. The paper will be objective type having 200 multiple choice questions. Each question will be for one mark and candidates will have to solve it in two and half hour. The paper will have questions on English composition, general science, current events of national and international importance, history of India, geography of India with special reference to West Bengal, Indian polity and economy, Indian national movement and general mental ability.

Bihar BSEB STET 2019 tomorrow, check these last minute tips and tricks.

Source – indianexpress.com

Bihar BSEB STET 2019: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will conduct the State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. The paper-1 will be conducted from 10 am to 12:30 pm, and paper 2 from 2 to 4:30 pm. The admit card will be available on the website- bsebstet2019.in till January 28, 2020. The candidates can download it through the website.

The examination will be conducted in two phases- written test and physical fitness. Those who qualify the written exam will be called for the second round. The paper will be of 150 marks, out of which 100 marks are for written examination and 50 marks are for physical efficiency test.

Bihar BSEB STET 2019: Check these last minute tips and tricks

Call letter: Make sure you keep your admit card in your bag. Candidates should keep in mind that if they fail to carry the same, they will not be allowed to enter the examination hall in any case.

Identity proof: Candidates also have to bring one photo identity proof such as passport/ Aadhaar/ PAN card/ Driving license/ voter’s Id card/ bank passbook with duly attested photograph/ identity card issued by a school or college/ gazetted officer in the official letterhead in original as well as a self-attested photocopy thereof. The same should be submitted along with the call letter to the invigilators.

Items banned: Do not carry electronic gadgets inside the exam hall such as mobile phones or any other communication devices

Revise: If you have prepared notes than it is better to revise them. There’s no point starting a new topic at this point of time.

Leave on time: It is always better to reach the examination venue 30-40 minutes before the scheduled exam rather than reaching late and missing out the paper

Examination hall: Check the address of your centre properly before leaving for the exam in order to avoid last moment rush. If possible, do a recce.

Maintain a positive attitude: Maintaining your calm and a positive frame of mind is the key to perform well in any exam. Do not ponder about the leftover topics or how difficult or easy the paper would be. Just take a deep breath and have faith in your preparations

Time management: Do not dedicate more than 30-40 seconds on one particular question. In case you are confused or are unaware of the answer, move on to the next question and come back and attempt them in the end. As there would be negative marking, be careful and answer only those questions for which you are 100 per cent sure.

The aspirants should reach the exam venue one hour before STET starts. They should not bring any electronic gadget. Moreover, reports suggest candidates wearing shoes, socks and wristwatch will not be allowed to enter the exam hall. They need to wear slippers or sandals.

UPSC Recruitment 2020: Apply for 134 vacancies @ upsconline.nic.in, check direct link here

Source – indiatoday.in


UPSC Recruitment 2020: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification inviting all the interested candidates to apply for Assistant Engineer, Medical Officer/ Research Officer, Anthropologist, Assistant Library and Information Officer, Scientist ‘B’ and other vacancies.

All the candidates can apply for 134 vacancies till February 13, 2020 on the official website, the link for which is upsconline.nic.in

UPSC Recruitment 2020: Vacancy details

Total posts: 134

Name of the post:

  • Medical Officer/ Research Officer (Ayurveda): 37
  • Medical Officer/ Research Officer (Unani): 7
  • Anthropologist (Cultural Anthropology Division): 1
  • Assistant Library and Information Officer (Tamil): 1
  • Assistant Engineer (Quality Assurance) Armament (Ammunition): 11
  • Assistant Engineer (Quality Assurance) (Electronics): 39
  • Assistant Engineer (Quality Assurance) (Armament-Weapons): 14
  • Assistant Engineer (Civil): 2
  • Scientist ‘B’ (Documents): 6
  • Scientist B (Chemistry): 2
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Neuro-Surgery): 4
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Plastic Surgery): 2
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Urology): 4
  • Specialist Grade III (Gastroenterology): 1
  • Specialist Grade III (Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Surgery): 3
  • Principal Library and Information Officer: 1
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Endocrinology): 3
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Gastroenterology): 5
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Gastro-Intestinal Surgery): 1
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Nephrology): 5
  • Senior Divisional Medical Officer (Neurology):7
  • Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Special Education (MR/ID):2

UPSC Recruitment 2020: Educational qualification required

Medical Officer/ Research Officer (Ayurveda):

A degree in Ayurveda from a recognised university or Statutory State Board or Council or Faculty of India Medicine recognized under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 (48 of 1970)

Enrolment on the Central Register of Indian Medicine or State Register of Indian Medicine.

Anthropologist (Cultural Anthropology Division):

Master’s degree in Anthropology of a recognised University with more than fifty percent papers in Cultural Anthropology in final year examination.

Note: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission for reasons to be recorded in writing in case of candidates otherwise well qualified.

Three years research experience in Anthropology.

Assistant Engineer (Civil):

The candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in Civil engineering from a recognized University or equivalent.

Equivalent means degree certificate issued by Indian/Foreign University recognized by Govt. of India which has been treated as equivalent by Govt. of India.

Experience: Two Years’ experience in Civil Engineering work.

Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Special Education (MR/ID):

Master’s degree in any discipline with not less than 50 per cent of marks.

MEd degree in Specific Disability (Mental Retardation/ Intellectual Disability) area with not less than 55 per cent of marks or an equivalent grade B+ in 10-point scale of UGC. OR An equivalent Degree from a foreign University recognised by Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

Fore more details on other posts, all the candidates can check the official notification here.

UPSC Recruitment 2020: How to apply

  • Log on to the official website, www.upsconline.nic.in
  • On the homepage, click on ‘ ONLINE RECRUITMENT APPLICATION (ORA) FOR VARIOUS RECRUITMENT POSTS’
  • Select the post and click on ‘Apply Online’
  • Read all the instructions carefully and click on proceed
  • Fill in the application form in the prescribed format
  • Upload all the required documents
  • Pay the application fees
  • Click on submit

Direct link: https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/VacancyNoticePub.php

Important note:

Candidates must upload the following documents/certificates relating to educational qualification, Date of Birth, Experience (preferably in prescribed format), Desirable Qualification(s) or any other information, as claimed in the online application, in a single pdf file in such a way that the file size does not exceed 2 MB and is legible when a printout taken. For that purpose, the applicant may scan the following documents/certificates in 200 dpi grey scale.

Application fee to be paid:

Candidates are required to pay a fee of Rs 25 only either by remitting the money in any branch of the SBI by cash or by using net banking facility of the SBI or by using visa/master credit/debit card.

Important dates to remember:

  • Closing date for submission of online recruitment application (ORA): February 13
  • Last date for printing of completely submitted online application: February 14

IIM Ranchi celebrated Republic Day along with blood donation camp.

Source – campusvarta.com

Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi celebrated ‘Republic Day’; 71 years of Independence and Democratic Governance with a flag hoisting ceremony held at its new campus, located in Pundag. 

The Student Fraternity, the esteemed Faculty members lead by Prof. Dr Shailendra Singh and the ancillary staff gathered at the new campus to unfurl the tricolored national flag and celebrate this momentous occasion with invigorating speeches, a pledge and ended with a patriotic song melody as the atmosphere got engulfed in patriotism and pride. 

Major Achievements like the nation-wide appreciation received by ‘Unnat Bharat Initiative‘ for their incredible contribution towards the society, the huge leap into the Top 20 of ‘Most Desirable B-school,’ and the rise of IIM Ranchi as brand through corporate competition conquers were highlighted and celebrated.

The social responsibility Club of IIM Ranchi also organised a blood donation camp at the Khelgaon Hostel where students participated in huge numbers for the noble cause. Along with this, SOUL – a special-interest group at IIM Ranchi, inaugurated SPL-SOUL Premier League, on the lines of Gender Sensitization. To promote and celebrate Gender Equality, teams of both girls and boys are made to play the matches in the tournament. 

IIM Ranchi as always enthusiastically celebrated this occasion of national pride and paid due respect towards the nation and promised to uphold the Nation’s esteem till their very last breath at every stage of their life.

Jharkhand: Written commitment sought to ban NPR/NRC, declare CAA black law.

Source – counterview.net

Country-wide agitations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)/ National Register of Citizens (NRC) took a new turn in Ranchi on the Republic Day as thousands gathered in Idgah Maidan (Kadru) for a long evening of protest songs, poems and plays. The programme, “Ek Shaam Samvidhan ke Naam”, was held to reassert the constitutional values of liberty, equality and solidarity at a time when Indian democracy is allegedly under threat.

The event was organized by a wide coalition of individuals and organisations that are active in the movement against CAA/NRC in Jharkhand. Hundreds of women who are sitting on a continuous Shaheen Bagh-style sit-in in Kadru also joined.

The event began with a painting festival for children and their posters were displayed across the venue. The programme also included a rich series of songs, poems, plays, and short films around the theme of communal harmony. Pamphlets on dangers of CAA/NRC were distributed. The cultural programme started with Jhakhandi beats on nagadas and dhol-maandal by Elina and her friends.

These cultural performances brought together some of Jharkhand’s best artists and cultural activists. Veteran folk-singer Madhu Mansuri ‘Hasmukh’, who received Padmashri on Saturday, extended support to the protests with his well-known song, “Gaon Chhodab Nahi”. He said that in Jharkhandi society, different communities have always helped and supported each other. Filmmaker Meghnath, founder of AKHRA and one of the composers of the song, quipped that now the protest anthem should be “Desh Chodab Nabi.”

The Ranchi Youth Fellowship, a choir performed gospel music, while a performer sang bhajans. Children from different mohallas were also selected to sing patriotic melodies. Student group ‘Kahab to Lag Jayi Dhak Se’ who have been part of several anti-CAA/NRC/National Population Register (NPR) protests across street corners of Ranchi sang a combination of inspiring verses. Vishwanath and Anil Anshuman performed protest songs for social rights. A band, Amazing Life, regaled the people with a peppy song of solidarity.

Some well-known Jharkhandi poets supported the protest with their words. Jacinta Kerketta has consistently questioned state narratives on tribal development. Anuj Lugun’s poetry has supported indigenous renaissance and resistance against fascism and oppression. Prof Mithilesh, Aloka Kujur, Mehul and others also recited their own poetic compositions.

A topical play was also performed by the Indian People’s Theatre Association. The programme also saw performances by Tabish Ali, a rapper, Chandosree, Aamir Ali, Amreen Azad, Zohra and many others.

A civil rights release commented, “In Jharkhand, in the last five years, a climate of fear and hate has been created especially against adivasi and minority communities due to a series of inhuman mob lynchings and violence. In this charged atmosphere and with the plans of CAA/NRC and especially after the series of recent attacks on university campuses, street protests have erupted in the state and nationwide.”

It added, “Across Jharkhand, every day in the New Year from Ranchi to Daltonganj, Jamshedpur to Dhanbad, Bokaro to Ramgarh there have been spontaneous protests by students, civil society, unions, and especially women.”

Afzal Anis, one of the leading activists against CAA/NRC said, “In the last two months, many Indians and Muslims in particular have taken to the streets with the tiranga flag and readings of the preamble of the constitution, as we realise that only if the constitution is saved will the country be saved. Since independence never before have the symbols of our democracy been so visible across India”.

As the evening progressed, even as Ranchiites enjoyed the cultural performances, one of the main demands was for the newly-elected Jharkhand government to reassure the fraught sentiments of minority and tribal communities by issuing a written commitment to ban NPR/NRC activities in the state.

They also wanted the assembly to pass a resolution to repeal the CAA. Throughout the programme, the air was rent with slogans against this an unconstitutional “black law” as a threat to the secular ethos of Indian democracy in the 71st year of the Republic.

Chaibasa, Lohardaga case: BJP holds silent protest.

Source – dailypioneer.com

The State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday held a silent protest near Raj Bhavan against the State Government’s action, in which it prevented a delegation of BJP to meet with the family members of victim. ‘

A delegation of BJP leaders also submitted a memorandum to Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu in this regard.

The State BJP showed aggressive stance against the State Government with allegations of deteriorating law and order after Hemant Soren became the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. BJP leaders led by former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, the State BJP Chief, Laxman Gilua and almost all MLAs of the party participated in the protest.  The BJP leaders also submitted a memorandum to Governor Draupadi Murmu, protesting against the mass massacre of seven tribals at Gudri in Chaibasa and stone pelting on a rally in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Lohardaga took place Thursday.

Rajya Sabha MP, Sameer Oraon, Senior BJP leader and Ranchi MLA, CP Singh, former Legislative Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon, Lohardaga MP Sudarshan Bhagat and Neera Yadav among the prominent faces of the party who were present at the Rajya Bhavan in a one-day silent protest. The party demanded to the Governor that the whole issue should be investigated by a High Level judicial committee.

Former Chief Minister, Ragubar Das said on the occasion that Chief Minister Hemant Soren had given clear indication after holding his first Cabinet meeting. “The government has fueled the anti-national forces which has involved in the killing of innocent tribals. The Government which is saying that it is pro tribal but massacre of tribal taking place in the Government,” he added.

The BJP leaders, who were holding placards in their hands, demanded the arrest of the accused.

A delegation of BJP MPs was going to meet the families of the slain tribals on Friday which was prevented by the State Police at Karaikela in Chaibasa District. Citing security, Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Angered by this action of the Administration, the investigation team staged a protest near Karaikela under Sonuva Police Station. The MPs shouted slogans against the State Government. After this they sat on Chakradharpur-Ranchi National Highway 75, which blocked the jam for one and a half hours. After seven hours of sit-in, the BJP leaders finally had to return.

Criminal dies in police encounter in Bihar’s Vaishali district.

Source – newindianexpress.com

PATNA: A criminal identified as Baiju Mahto was killed late night on Friday in retaliatory firing by the Lalganj police in Bihar’s Vaishali district while another was caught with an illegal firearm. The third criminal, however, managed to escape.

According to Vaishali Superintendent of Police (SP), Dr Guarav Mangla, a late-night police patrol team intercepted a Scorpio moving near Tinpulwa.

He added that the criminals fired at the police, unprovoked when the police indicated to stop the Scorpio. 

Lead by SHO Sunil Kumar, they retaliated and in the process, a criminal named Baiju Mahto succumbed to bullet injuries on the way to the hospital while one of his accomplices, identified as Ashutosh Kumar was caught with a firearm, the police said. 
 
The third criminal escaped during the fire exchange, has also been identified.

The SP said that two firearms, empty and unused cartridges and one Scorpio with a VIP registration number: BR-31PA-7000 were recovered.

The deceased was accused of multiple cases lodged in the Lalganj and Mahua Police Stations in which one of the case was lodged under relevant sections of prohibition Act implemented in the state in 2018.

The SP told media that it was an encounter death and magistrate inquiry and FSL investigation were conducted as per the law.

He also said: “There is more criminal history under Prohibition law, which is being complied”.

This was the first encounter-death of an alleged criminal in this year in Bihar. Eleven criminals were killed in seven different encounters in 2019 in Bihar, as per the numbers on Bihar police website.

The truth behind Pathalgadi violence in Jharkhand.

Source – outlookindia.com

The Pathalgadi movement was started to save the land and forest areas in Jharkhand, but now the movement is also marked by a series of violence. The purpose of the Pathalgadi movement was to make the Gram Sabhas omnipotent in tribal areas to reclaim their rights to ”jal, jangal and zameen”. The people wanted the Gram Sabhas to grant permission for mining and development work in their tribal areas and not by the elected government.

After the killing of seven people for opposing the movement in West Singhbhum recently, there are fears of violence in other areas too. When the Hemant Soren government came to power, it announced the withdrawal of the old sedition cases against Pathalgadi activists. This, however, caused much resentment in the tribal community.

Pathalgadi hit the headlines when seven Pathalgadi opponents were killed in Burugulikela village in West Singhbhum district on January 19. Activists working in the tribal areas say even now there is confusion on whether the killings took place because of the Pathalgadi movement.

The police are still investigating the killing of seven villagers in Burugulikela village, about 80 km from the district headquarters, but they have so far investigated it from the angle of personal enmity.

Sources however said that the Pathalgadi movement may be the main reason behind the killings. The clash took place between the supporters and the opponents of the movement over the development works to be carried out without any interference from the tribal community. Police sources said that a section of villagers, reposing complete faith in the Gram Sabha, may be behind the killings.

Jarom Gerald Kujur, Secretary of the Central Jana Sangh Samiti, an NGO working for the tribals, said that the incident is under investigation, hence it cannot be linked to the Pathalgadi movement yet.

He said, “Pathalgadi is a very old tradition. The Birsa Munda Samaj mentions its rule by placing large stones outside the village, which is called Pathalgadi, while the Oraon Samaj collects a heap of stones, known as keystones.”

He said that these stones indicate the boundary of the villages.

Kujur said that the history of the tribals shows that the Munda tribals in Singhbhum and Khunti areas had been trying to establish a self-governing system since the time of the British, and the Pathalgadi movement is a product of that struggle.

The movement which started from the Khunti region of Jharkhand, spread to other areas – Gumla, Shimdega, West Singhbhum in the course of time.

People say that the government must understand the sensitivity and take appropriate steps, otherwise this age-old custom may deviate to a turbulent and violent path.

“The government neither understood the sensibility of it nor is it understanding it now,” said James Herange, a Jharkhand social activist and convener of the Jharkhand NREGA Watch.

“This peaceful majority tribal area is once again becoming turbulent. The government needs to convince all, including the opposition,” he said.

He said that Pathalgadi is not a new practice. It is actually said to be the monuments of those stones, which have a very ancient history. Even today it is practiced in tribal societies across many states.

Herange said: “There was fear and anger in the tribal society against the government when it introduced amendments to the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) 1908 and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act 1949. The tribal community feared that the government was going to hand over the rights of forest and land to the capitalists in the name of mining and industrialisation.”

Panic gripped the Bundu and Tamar communities and the possibility of bloody conflict increased in these areas after the government”s move.

District Collector of West Singhbhum, Arwa Rajkamal, said that investigation is still on in the Burugulikela incident which makes it clear that the clash happened in the garb of Pathalgadi movement when two tribal groups came face to face over the development works in the area.

The Pathalgadi movement was revived to protest tribal land rights in 2017-18, when huge engraved stones were erected outside the villages following the amendments in tribal laws. The tribals wrote on the stones the rights enshrined under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution which ensured self-governance through Gram Sabhas to safeguard and preserve traditions and customs of the tribal people and their cultural identity.

The movement turned violent and a fierce struggle took place between the police and the tribals after the government”s move to amend the tribal laws. The movement may have calmed down for now, but the villagers never forgot the police brutality that they suffered.

The Khunti police registered a total of 19 cases related to the Pathalgadi movement, in which 172 people were booked. Now after the Soren government withdrew all the cases, many believe it was done in a hurry.

Jharkhand murders not due to Pathalgadi, result of family rivalry.

Source – nationalheraldindia.com

Contrary to national media reports about the seven murders in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, allegedly by the supporters of Pathalgadi movement, the gruesome killings have their origins in a rivalry between the two families. They were reportedly murdered on January 19, but it was found out only two days ago.

The massacre of the seven persons in Burugulikera, identified as James Budh (30), Etwa Budh (27), Lomba Budh (25), Koje Topno (23), Nirmal Budh (25), Jabra Budh (22), and Bobas Lomga (25) was a result of village conflict, said the police. The village falls under Gudri police station, which is at least 75 km from the district headquarter Chaibasa.

“The murders cannot be linked to Pathalgadi movement, but an incident of rivalry between two families – the current village head and his family was murdered by the earlier village head’s family,” said Murari Lal Meena, ADG-Operations.

The Pathalgadi movement is prevalent in the Burugulikera village, but these seven were murdered due to opposition between themselves. Pathalgadi, a custom to erect stone plaques amongst tribals, resurrected in 2017 in Khunti when villagers began to erect plaques with their rights engraved on it.

The previous Raghubar Das-led BJP government had slapped thousands of sedition cases on the supporters of the movement. However, soon after the new Chief Minister Hemant Soren was sworn in, he quashed all of these cases.

The prime accused in the case is former mukhiya Mukta Horo and her husband, Ranshi Budh. However, it must also be mentioned that Ranshi Budh supported Pathalgadi movement, but the murdered James Budh was the current village mukhiya and he was not in favour of Ranshi Budh’s form of Pathalgadi.

On January 16, a meeting was called in the village by the former mukhiya, which was opposed by James Budh and his supporters. To retaliate against the meeting, James Budh’s supporters vandalised five house and also beat up Mukta Horo’s family members.

“After vandalising the homes, a meeting was called to discuss the incident. Several of those who had vandalised Mukta Horo’s house did not turn up for the meeting. This enraged Ranshi Budh, who beat up seven and beheaded them in the neighbouring forest,” said Indrajit Mahato, Chaibasa Superintendent of Police.

A day after the decapitated bodies were discovered, Burugulikera village appeared divided over the incident. According to the villagers, James Budh wanted to ensure that villagers had access to subsidised ration, government benefits and additionally wanted to enrol young children in schools.

“However, Ranshi Budh, who is a part of an ideology called ‘Kutumbh family’, which has its roots in Gujarat. Ranshi Budh, who while being in favour of the Pathalgadi movement, was against villagers getting aid from the government or any identification cards or even participating in the voting exercise. The followers of this ideology state that they are a government unto themselves” explained an activist Aloka.

In other regions of Jharkhand, where Pathalgadi is prevalent, it is not as contentious as it is in this region. In this region, a section of the Pathalgadi supporters are against any government assistance, unlike in areas like Khunti, where Pathalgadi supporters have voter IDs and other government documents.