Modi, Jharkhand CM lying on land laws: JMM

Ranchi, Sep 15: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) President Hemant Soren on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das of lying on the land rights of the tribals in the state.

He said both promised that the tribals' land rights will be protected but an ordinance had been brought to make changes in two land acts in the state.

"Modi promised at a public rally in Santhal Pargana that no one was yet born to take away the tribal land. Even Das is saying that even his father cannot make changes in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act," Soren said at a press conference here.

"Both lied to the people as the state's BJP-led government had brought an ordinance to make changes in both the acts. After the changes come into effect, tribal land could be used for non-agricultural purposes," the former Chief Minister said.

The JMM chief said that even the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes had maintained that since Jharkhand issues come under the fifth schedule of the Constitution, it would be inappropriate to make changes in both the laws.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das is wooing investors by holding road shows in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities but what will be the impact on prospective investors when they come to know the truth about his contention that land is not an issue in the state, Soren asked.

The JMM is protesting the proposed changes in the two land acts through the ordinance. The monsoon session of the Jharkhand assembly was washed out due to opposition protests over the issue.

Even BJP ally All Jharkhand Students Union has protested the proposed changes in the land laws.

IANS