Ranchi (Khunti): A public meeting was organized on Sunday by the regional Gram Sabha at the Kochang playground under Adki block, to discuss regional issues. Congress Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju, State Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Member of Parliament Kalicharan Munda, and several other leaders attended the event. After listening to the grievances of the villagers, they assured that solutions would be found.
Addressing the gathering at Kochang, Congress Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju praised Khunti MP Kalicharan Munda, stating that when he speaks in Parliament, Members from across the country admire him. His words remind the nation of the sacrifices made by tribal people during the freedom struggle. He specifically mentioned the sacrifice of Birsa Munda, which, he said, the whole country remembers with respect.
Raju stated that the Constitution of India was framed by the Congress party. Along with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the tribal leader from Khunti, Jaipal Singh Munda, was also among the founding members. Jaipal Singh used to say that if democracy is to function properly, we must learn from the tribal way of life—visit villages and observe how real democracy operates. That is why a separate schedule was created for tribal-dominated regions.
He emphasized that the Forest Rights Act exists in Jharkhand and that its full benefits should be extended to tribal communities. People living in forests have the right to receive land titles (patta), and the Congress party will ensure that every eligible family gets theirs.
Speaking about land issues, Raju said that the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Rules have been finalized in Jharkhand, which grant rights to Gram Sabhas. Now, the Gram Sabha will decide how village work should be conducted. The authority over water, forest, and land will lie with the Gram Sabha. No government has the right to acquire land without the consent of the Gram Sabha, he asserted.
He strongly criticized the BJP government for creating the Land Bank, calling it a violation of PESA rules. The Congress party will demand that it be cancelled immediately.
Raju also said that the pending cases related to the Pathalgadi Movement will be taken up with the Congress-led government for withdrawal. He assured the people that ministers of the Jharkhand government will visit villages and solve local issues directly.
"To Understand Jharkhand, Read the Faces of Kochang's Tribals"
State Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, while addressing the gathering at Kochang, said that the purpose behind the formation of Jharkhand has still not been fulfilled. People here continue to be deprived of basic amenities.
He pointed out that villagers do not have access to drinking water, children have no educational facilities beyond middle school, and they must travel 10 km to Birbanki or Khunti for healthcare services.
The minister said, “If you want to understand Jharkhand, don’t read books—come to Kochang and read the faces of the villagers. Everything will become clear. This state was created for these people, but the goals remain unachieved.”
He added that the lack of employment opportunities may push people toward crime. To stop opium cultivation, awareness and alternative livelihoods are both necessary. The government must provide opportunities to the people so they can leave illegal farming practices behind.
During the meeting, the minister issued several on-the-spot instructions to officials:
Health: He called the Civil Surgeon and ordered a medical camp to be set up in Kochang on Monday.
Land Disputes: He instructed the BDO and CO to set up a special land dispute resolution camp on Thursday. He warned, “If the camp is not held, you may lose your job.”
Education: The BDO was instructed to prepare a proposal to upgrade the local middle school to a high school and send it to the Deputy Commissioner. By 2026, a high school will begin operating in Kochang.
Drinking Water & Irrigation: The PHED and minor irrigation department were given a one-month deadline to resolve the water crisis. The district planning officer was directed to construct a pond.
"Lac Cultivation Is Better Than Opium Farming"
MP Kalicharan Munda stated that people had unknowingly taken up opium cultivation, unaware that it was illegal. When the administration issued instructions, villagers themselves destroyed the crops. However, now the police are using drones to take photographs and sending notices to villagers.
He appealed to K. Raju, Congress in-charge, to speak with the Jharkhand government and ensure that the cases against poor villagers related to opium are withdrawn. He added that the government is already running many schemes in the region.The MP recalled that former Gujarat CM Amarsinh Chaudhary once told him, “In Jharkhand, money grows on trees.” He said that the quality of lac from Khunti is the best in the world. It can generate more income than opium farming.
He encouraged locals to plant semialata trees and take up lac cultivation. He also promoted the cultivation of lemongrass. He emphasized that both the central and state governments must work for the betterment of the people here.
Demands by Dayamani Barla, Balmuccu, Bandhu Tirkey, and Subodh Kant Sahay
Congress leader Dayamani
Barla demanded strong action from the government regarding land banks, opium cases, and the Pathalgadi movement. She stated that 90% of Khunti is under Munda-Khuntkatti land ownership. The Munda people had resisted British rule to protect their water, forests, and land. Today, even they are in crisis.
She alleged that the Land Bank created by the BJP government between 2014 and 2019 has enabled outsiders to occupy the land of locals. She demanded the cancellation of this policy. She also urged the withdrawal of over 10,000 cases filed during the Pathalgadi movement.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Balmuchu said that many people who did not even engage in opium farming have had cases filed against them. He demanded that all such cases be dropped. He also pointed out that people have not yet received the benefits of the Forest Rights Act, and arrangements must be made to provide land titles.
Congress Working President BandhuTirkey stated that the government is working seriously on PESA, and soon Jharkhand will have the strongest PESA law in the country. He raised concerns about how tribal lands are being seized and atrocities committed in BJP-ruled Assam and Chhattisgarh, and said that such a situation should not arise in Jharkhand.
Former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay also demanded that all Pathalgadi-related cases be withdrawn.
The public meeting organized by the regional Gram Sabha was conducted by Hari Sing soy Demands were presented by Kalidas Munda of Kochang and Paulus Hamsai of Kasmar. Prominent attendees included MLA Rajesh Kachhap, Shahzada Anwar, former minister Badal Patralekh, Jagdish Sahu, Satish Munjni, Congress district president Ravi Mishra, Md. Naimuddin Khan, women’s district president Sunita Gop, MP representative Dharmdas Kandir, Vikram Nag, Talha Khan, Naresh Tirkey, Md. Sayum Ansari, and others.
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