Ranchi News: Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren Under House Arrest Amid Tribal Land Protest

Ranchi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Sunday found himself at the centre of political and tribal unrest after police placed him under house arrest ahead of a farmers' and tribal protest against land acquisition in Ranchi. His son Babulal Soren and several of his close supporters were also detained while on their way to the state capital.

Police officials maintained that the action was purely preventive. "Champai Soren is under house arrest to maintain law and order in view of the tribal protests," Ranchi City DSP K. V. Raman told PTI.

Champai Soren Speaks Out

Despite the restrictions, Champai Soren did not hold back his criticism of the state government. He accused the JMM-led administration of dispossessing tribals of their land in Nagri, where the government has begun work on the ₹1,000 crore RIMS-2 hospital project.

"I am not against a hospital," he clarified, "but the land of poor farmers has been snatched without notice or compensation. The government has fenced their fields and stopped them from tilling. If they are determined to build a hospital, why not use the barren land available in Ranchi?"

Soren had already declared his support for the 'Hal Joto, Ropa Ropo' protest scheduled for August 24, where farmers planned to plough and sow crops on the disputed land to mark their resistance.

"Tribals Are Being Targeted"

The former chief minister went further, accusing the state machinery of targeting tribals who dared to resist. "Their land is being seized, and those who fight back are being killed," he alleged, citing the case of Surya Hansda, a tribal leader and education activist, whom he claimed was wrongly branded and killed in an encounter.

Highlighting the larger plight of his community, Soren said, "We are called the owners of this land, yet today we survive on 5 kg of ration rice. Our dependence is the bitter truth. This must change."

Security Blanket in Ranchi

Meanwhile, Ranchi wore a fortress-like look with barricades at strategic locations and heavy deployment of police to prevent any escalation.