Jharkhand Ruling Party Seeks Rs 25 Lakh Compensation For Each Family
Key Points:
- JMM accuses BJP government of neglecting tribal child deaths in Balaghat
- MLA Louis Marandi demands accountability over more than 30 deaths
- Party seeks Rs 25 lakh compensation for each affected family
RANCHI – Politics in Jharkhand has heated up over the deaths of more than 30 tribal children in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, with the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha sharply criticising the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre. The deaths, involving children from the Baiga and Gond communities, occurred over a period of about two and a half months.
JMM MLA Louis Marandi addressed a press conference at the party’s Ranchi office, alleging that the BJP government was responsible for the deaths. She said the party that claims to champion tribal welfare had exposed a wide gap between its claims and reality through its handling of the Balaghat incident.
Marandi described the deaths of more than 30 tribal children as deeply painful and a matter of serious concern. She alleged that BJP-ruled states were working to suppress the rights and voices of tribal communities.
She questioned why the lives of tribal children were being treated so lightly and why the government was avoiding accountability in the matter. Marandi said immediate health services and necessary steps should have been taken as soon as signs of infection emerged in the affected tribal area.
She further alleged that the government was attempting to conceal data related to the case. Marandi said tribal communities continue to face a constant struggle to protect their rights over water, forest and land.
Meanwhile, JMM MLA Sudeep Gudiya also described the Balaghat incident as deeply unfortunate and condemnable. He said the Madhya Pradesh government must answer for the deaths of the tribal children.
Gudiya demanded the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over the matter. He said the state government had shown activity on the issue only after judicial intervention.
The party has demanded that both Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the state’s health minister resign on moral grounds, taking responsibility for the children’s deaths. JMM has also sought compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each family that lost a child due to what it called the government’s negligence.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, whose party leads the demand, has previously positioned himself as a key voice for tribal communities in Jharkhand. His government has repeatedly raised tribal rights issues in the state assembly and other forums.
