Jharkhand's Ex-CM Champai Soren Arrested; Son Babulal Soren Also Taken into Custody

Ranchi (The Uttam Hindu): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and veteran leader Champai Soren was arrested at his residence in Ranchi on Sunday. His son Babulal Soren has also been taken into custody by the police. This action was taken after Champai Soren announced a big protest against the proposed land acquisition for RIMS-2, in which he was going to plough the field along with thousands of supporters.

The police administration has taken this step due to the apprehension of the law and order situation deteriorating. According to the information received, the former Chief Minister was going to register his protest by ploughing the land being acquired for RIMS-2 in Nagdi in support of the farmers. Seeing the possibility of a huge crowd gathering in this program, the police reached his residence in the morning and instructed him not to come out of the house.

Reacting to his house arrest, former Chief Minister Champai Soren has termed it undemocratic. He said, "When DSP sahab came and forbade me from going anywhere today, I understood that the government has decided to stop me. We will not violate the decision of the administration, but this is the dictatorial attitude of the government. I am supporting the tribals and their fight for rights, that is why I have been put under house arrest."

According to the police, this action has been taken solely to maintain law and order. A senior officer said that based on intelligence inputs, there was a possibility of breach of peace during the protest. He said that Champai Soren's son Babulal Soren and many of his supporters heading towards Ranchi have also been detained in a police station as a precautionary measure. Tight security arrangements have been made in the city and barricading has been done at many places.

It is worth noting that Champai Soren has alleged that the rules have been ignored in the acquisition of land in Nagdi for the construction of RIMS-2. He has been opposing this acquisition for a long time and has been raising his voice for the rights of farmers.