In a significant development from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has issued a stern warning regarding the escalating situation for tribal communities in Assam. Speaking on Monday, Soren reiterated his concerns about the exploitation of indigenous groups in the northeastern state, asserting that atrocities against them have surged under the current BJP-led administration.
Threat of Tribal Mobilization to Assam
Soren declared that if the local government in Assam fails to curb the growing violence targeting tribal populations, a substantial force of Adivasis from Jharkhand will march to Assam to support their fellow community members. This statement follows his recent rally in poll-bound Assam, where he engaged with local indigenous groups.
Historical Context and Current Grievances
The Chief Minister made these remarks after paying homage to the martyrs of the Kol uprising of 1837 in Serangsia, located within the Tonto block of West Singhbhum district. He connected this historical struggle to present-day issues, alleging severe violence against indigenous people. Soren claimed that in recent months, non-tribal groups have torched 25 villages and looted property, highlighting incidents in Kokrajhar and West Karbi Anglong districts between December and January.
These conflicts reportedly stem from disputes over land ownership, fears of demographic shifts among indigenous communities, and demands for the eviction of outsiders from Sixth Schedule areas. Soren emphasized that during his visit to Assam, he met with representatives from Munda, Ho, Santhal, and other local indigenous groups who detailed the increasing atrocities.
Assurance and Historical Legacy
He assured them that, mirroring the efforts of his father and tribal icon Shibu Soren, who frequently traveled to Assam to advocate for tribal rights during times of violence, he would not hesitate to mobilize support. Soren stressed that Adivasis, as the original natives of India, should retain their Scheduled Tribe (ST) status regardless of their settlement location, criticizing the classification of Jharkhand's indigenous people in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as Other Backward Class (OBC) as an infringement on their identity.
Empowerment Initiatives in Jharkhand
Turning to domestic policies, the Chief Minister outlined his government's efforts to empower the tribal community. He highlighted the Mukhyamatri Maiya Samman Yojna, which provides Rs 2500 monthly to eligible women, benefiting 2 lakh women in West Singhbhum alone. Additionally, Soren mentioned initiatives to provide jobs for educated Adivasi youth as part of broader empowerment strategies.
Development Projects and Job Creation
On the occasion, Soren laid the foundation stone and inaugurated projects worth Rs 400 crore. He also distributed assets valued at Rs 637 crore among 3.77 lakh beneficiaries and handed job letters to 1,449 youths, underscoring his administration's commitment to economic development and employment generation.
Political Backdrop and Electoral Context
This warning comes amid a charged political atmosphere, recalling Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's extensive campaigning in Jharkhand during the 2024 assembly elections to challenge the JMM-led alliance. Despite his efforts, the NDA faced a significant defeat in those polls, adding a layer of political rivalry to the current discourse on tribal rights and interstate dynamics.
