Police Stop Protest as Farmers Oppose Land Acquisition in Nagri
Key Points:
- Champai Soren placed under house arrest before farmers’ protest in Ranchi
- Nagri farmers allege forced land acquisition for RIMS-2 project
- Police deploy heavy force and six-layer barricading at proposed site
JAMSHEDPUR – Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren was placed under house arrest in Ranchi on Saturday as he planned to join farmers opposing land acquisition for the RIMS-2 project in Nagri.
A heavy police force was deployed outside his residence, and officers informed him that he could not leave. Soren alleged that supporters arriving from Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Gumla, and Khunti were stopped and sent back.
Ranchi City DSP K.B. Raman confirmed the house arrest, stating it was a preventive measure. Authorities erected six layers of barricading at the proposed site to prevent gatherings.
Farmers in Nagri accused the administration of forcibly evicting them without consent. They demanded a transparent compensation policy, rehabilitation packages, jobs, and consideration of alternative land.
The RIMS-2 project, costing thousands of crores, is intended to expand advanced healthcare and medical education in Jharkhand. It requires several hundred acres in Nagri. The government claims the project is vital for the state’s health infrastructure.
Tensions rose in Nagri as hundreds of police, women personnel, and riot control forces were deployed. The administration warned that violent protests would be strictly prevented.
Soren announced he would hold a press conference at 5 PM to reveal details of the land’s history and future strategy.
With his intervention, the dispute has gained a sharp political dimension. Opposition parties support farmers, while the government defends the project’s importance. The standoff may intensify Jharkhand’s political climate in the coming days.
