Hiranpur: Despite heavy rainfall, a massive gathering of tribals turned up at the Dangapada football ground in Hiranpur block on Monday for the Adivasi Manjhi Pargana Baisi Maha Sammelan. The event, marked by impassioned speeches, saw several key leaders address issues of tribal identity, land rights, and alleged infiltration by Bangladeshis.
The chief guest, former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren, made strong statements regarding what he called the “rampant infiltration” of Bangladeshis into the region. Soren claimed that many individuals in Pakur district were holding identification cards from both Bangladesh and Jharkhand, exploiting the system for dual benefits.
“As soon as our government is formed in Jharkhand, we will throw out these infiltrators like a fly from milk,” Champai Soren declared. He expressed concerns over the impact of this influx on the tribal population, stating that large portions of village lands had been occupied by outsiders, jeopardizing the livelihoods and cultural integrity of the indigenous communities.
Soren called for a united tribal front to reclaim what he described as ancestral lands. “We fought the British to protect our honour, our water, forests, land, and culture. Today, we face a similar threat. We must unite once again to defend our identity,” he urged, invoking historical leaders like Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, and Phoolo-Jhano, who played pivotal roles in the tribal resistance during the colonial period.
Other prominent leaders, including former MLA Sita Soren, also addressed the large crowd, reinforcing the need to protect tribal customs, traditions, and land rights. The Sammelan echoed with slogans supporting the protection of water, forests, land, and key cultural sites like Jaher Than and Manjhi.
Former MLA Lobin Hembram further criticized the current state government, accusing Chief Minister Hemant Soren of turning a blind eye to the issues of Bangladeshi infiltration. “The land of the tribals is being looted by Bangladeshis, and yet the Chief Minister remains silent. He is doing so for the sake of his vote bank,” Hembram charged, emphasizing the declining numbers of the tribal population in the region.
The Sammelan concluded with a firm resolution from the attendees to safeguard their land, heritage, and rights, despite the ongoing challenges posed by external pressures.
