Just within a week after the editor of KishanganjBihar.com (KBC) highlighted the issue of tribal encroachment in different parts of the district in the article (Apna Kishanganj Series! Tribal encroachment an alarm bell for safety and peace - http://www.kishanganjbihar.com/2012/08/apna-kishanganj-series-tribal.html )on Tuesday (August 28, 2012) the north-eastern district of Bihar had witnessed a horrifying protest of the tribals with their traditional weapons. Thousands of tribals blocked the NH 31 and protested in front of various offices of district collectorate. In fact, everywhere there was chaos but the District Administration couldn’t take any step to stop the tribals and remained the mute spectators.
The protest was done by tribals against the alleged kidnapping of their leader Ramu Hebram. However, as per Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjit Kumar Mishra the tribal leader Hebram was actually arrested by the police in civilian dress in connection with Patkoi land-controversy. There were allegation of house (thatched) burning and eruption of riots against Hebram, said the SP of Kishanganj. On Tuesday the tribal leader was presented in district court and sent in judicial custody. In response to arrest of their leader the tribals were protesting around the collectorate and totally violated the law and order situation.
The local residents of Kishanganj were totally horrified and they had totally avoided to visit the protest area in order to safeguard themselves. Although the protest ended by evening but it totally hampered the traffic movement on National Highway No 31. At the same time the protest of tribals at such mass level and complete failure from the district administration has raised question over the safety of common people. Fearing the outrage the administration hadn’t taken step but it inturn has provided a moral boostup to them.
After this horrible protest on Tuesday there are fair possibilities the tribals will protest and hamper the movement in city for any type of their demand. The main responsibility for such mayhem goes to the district administration which had not put hold on the illegal migration and encroachment of tribals in various parts of the district in past a couple of years. The common people are in deep shock after the Tuesday mayhem and they are praying not to witness the same again in future. The issue needs urgent attention of district administration and government unless the law and order situation in Kishanganj can be violated at large extent by tribals.
