Hazaribag Bandh: Complete Shutdown Over 12-Year-Old Girl's Murder
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a daylong bandh in Hazaribag on Monday, protesting the horrific rape and brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl last week. The shutdown was near-complete, with markets, shops, and businesses voluntarily closing across the district. The saffron party also staged protests at all district headquarters, criticizing the poor law and order situation in Jharkhand state.
Protests and Political Demands
Amba Prasad, national secretary of the Congress party, which is part of the ruling alliance government in the state, led a separate protest in Hazaribag. She demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident, referring to the victim as "Sita." Prasad also called for compensation and rehabilitation for the family and the reconstitution of the state women's commission.
The victim's body was recovered on March 25, a day after she went missing from Mangala Julus, part of the Ramnavami celebrations. Police have yet to crack the case, adding to public outrage.
Market Closures and Deserted Streets
Since morning, markets across Hazaribag remained closed, including key areas such as Jhanda Chowk, Main Road, Pagoda Chowk, Matwari, Vuru Gobind Singh Road, and Nawabganj. Traders voluntarily downed their shutters, and streets wore a deserted look, especially in Vishnugarh and adjoining areas.
Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal joined party leaders and workers on the streets, appealing to residents to support the bandh and demand justice. "The incident has shaken humanity. We must stand united to ensure strict action against those responsible," he said.
Protest Marches and Blockades
Barhi MLA Manoj Yadav and BJP district president Vivekanand Singh led protest marches across the city, urging shopkeepers to support the shutdown. Protesters raised slogans demanding immediate arrests and stringent punishment for the accused.
The bandh saw significant participation in several blocks, including Barkagaon, Keredari, Dadi, Churchu, Barhi, Chouparan, Barkattha, and Ichak, where normal life was partially disrupted. Demonstrations intensified during the day, with protesters briefly blocking the Vishnugarh–Hazaribag road near 7 Mile More, affecting traffic movement.
Political Accusations and Counterclaims
Placard-carrying demonstrators accused the administration of inaction and warned of continued agitation until arrests were made. Local traders said the shutdown was voluntary and reflected public anger. "This is a collective demand for justice, not a political move," said a shopkeeper in Vishnugarh.
BJP leaders asserted that protests would continue until the perpetrators were arrested and given exemplary punishment. The party has further announced mashal julus across the state on April 2 and a Jharkhand bandh on April 3 if the culprits aren't caught by then.
Amba Prasad led the protest at District Chowk, terming it a "failure of policing." Wearing black badges, workers held a candle march and burnt effigies of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, demanding swift arrests. She also wrote to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging personal intervention and action against erring officials.
Congress Hits Back at BJP
State Congress hit out at BJP for what it called petty politics over the issue, noting that police are actively probing the case. Addressing media at the party office, senior party leader Rama Khalko claimed that as many as 44 BJP MLAs and MPs in the country are facing allegations of rape and sexual harassment, yet the party continues to provide political protection to the accused.
"The party must introspect rather than doing petty politics," she said. "In Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency Varanasi, as many as 1,686 cases against women have been registered there in the last one year. A rape incident is occurring every 15 days, which is proof of the failure of BJP's double engine government," she alleged.
Government Response and Compensation
Meanwhile, Jharkhand finance minister Radha Krishna Kishore visited the victim's family in Hazaribag on Monday and assured that the case will be cracked soon. He discussed the issue with the DC and SP and asked people to wait for two days for the arrest of the culprits, who will be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
He announced an initial compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the family. "The family is very poor and I have directed the administration to rehabilitate them in all possible ways by linking with various government schemes," he said, adding that BJP's bandh was more of a political stunt.
The protests and bandh have highlighted deep-seated public anger and political tensions in Hazaribag, with demands for justice and accountability echoing across the district.
