Ranchi: On the occasion of International Human Rights Day (December 10), the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha held a press conference expressing deep concern over the increasing incidents of human rights violations in the state. The Mahasabha stated that while the Central Government is curbing civil liberties, the Hemant Soren-led state government has also failed to safeguard these rights. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and the poor continue to be the most affected by police repression and a weak justice system.
The Mahasabha alleged that in the past year, several cases of fake encounters, custodial violence, and deliberate delays in filing FIRs have been reported. They cited the case of Surya Hansda in Godda district, who died in a suspicious encounter in August 2025, and the case of Mansa Samad of Chakradharpur, who was brutally assaulted in November 2025—yet no FIR was filed in either incident. According to figures submitted by the state government in court, 427 people have died in prisons since 2018, most of them belonging to marginalized communities.
The Mahasabha also termed the police action on public movements as repressive. They highlighted the incident at Tambo Chowk in Chaibasa, where protesters demonstrating peacefully against road accidents were lathi-charged and tear-gassed, and 75 Adivasis were booked under serious charges including ‘attempt to murder’. Similar allegations of false cases being filed against villagers during community land conflicts in Chatra and Lapung were also raised.
The Mahasabha further criticized the growing militarization of Adivasi regions under the pretext of anti-Maoist operations. They expressed concern over the establishment of more than 25 security camps in Kolhan and Saranda without Gram Sabha consent, along with the expansion of mining activities. The organization also demanded an impartial probe into the killing of villager Baldev Kisku during the encounter in Gomia.
The Mahasabha pointed out that the Jharkhand Human Rights Commission has been non-functional for years, and according to the India Justice Report 2025, Jharkhand ranks last in the country in policing, judicial processes, and prison administration.
The organization demanded the cancellation of false FIRs, strict action against custodial violence, a halt to armed operations, the formation of a judicial commission, implementation of PESA and Forest Rights Act provisions, and activation of the State Human Rights Commission.
The press conference was addressed by Aloka Kujur, Dinesh Murmu, Elina Horo, Manoj Bhuiyan, Nandita Bhattacharya, Sushila Bodra, and Siraj.
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