Champai Soren Threatens Shutdown in Kolhan Over Tribal Arrests

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has threatened to initiate an indefinite shutdown in the mineral-rich Kolhan region unless the state withdraws all cases against tribals involved in a recent protest incident in Chaibasa.

Soren emphasized, "We will halt the transport of a single stone from Kolhan, encompassing Jharkhand's East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan districts, until the arrested individuals are freed and charges against them rescinded," he declared in a statement on Thursday.

The recent incident involved a police lathi charge on tribals demanding restrictions on heavy vehicle movement on national highways NH 220 and NH 75E due to frequent accidents. Sixteen tribals were arrested, while cases were filed against 75 identified and 500 unidentified individuals. Soren called for the Jharkhand High Court to proactively address the issue under the ST/SC Act.