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West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand came to a standstill on Wednesday due to a ‘Kolhan Bandh’ organized by the BJP, protesting a lathicharge incident against tribal demonstrators. The shutdown had a visible impact across the district, affecting areas like Chaibasa, Chakradharpur, Jagannathpur, and Sonua, with streets largely empty and businesses closed. BJP activists were seen organizing protests and voicing grievances against the state government and local authorities. The protest action was a response to a violent confrontation on Monday night, where tribal groups demonstrated outside the residence of Transport Minister Deepak Birua, demanding restrictions on NH-220 and the Chaibasa bypass. A tense standoff at Tambo Chowk led to police intervention involving lathicharge and tear gas. Protesters allegedly engaged in stone-pelting, causing injuries to 11 police personnel, including an SDPO, and several members of the public. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings, filing an FIR against 74 named individuals and 500 others, and have apprehended 15 people, including five women.
The BJP has strongly condemned the police action, describing it as an ‘anti-tribal’ and ‘barbaric’ response. The ruling JMM has dismissed the bandh as politically motivated, with former Chief Ministers Champai Soren and Madhu Koda accused of instigating the protest. The JMM maintains that the regulation of national highways, including ‘no entry’ policies, falls under the purview of the central government. The bandh call specifically excluded East Singhbhum for 12 hours to allow for essential services during the Ghatshila Assembly by-election, thus minimizing its impact there. West Singhbhum, however, experienced a complete shutdown.