Tribals to mark June 5 as Black Day

Tribal organisations opposing the construction of the flyover ramp in front of the Sirom Toli 'Sarna Sthal' will observe 'Black Day' every year on June 5 and burn an effigy of chief minister Hemant Soren to continue their protest, community leader Niranjana Herenj Toppo told Hindustan Times on Sunday.

- Raj Kumar

RANCHI:

Toppo said the decision was taken during a meeting held on Saturday at Nagra Toli Sarna Bhawan.

"Tribals organised under the aegis of Siram Toli Sarna Sthal Bachao Morcha and Adivasi Bachao Morcha held a meeting on Saturday. They expressed concern over the Mecon-Sirom-toli flyover being inaugurated unceremoniously on June 5—a day after a statewide bandh to protest the ramp near Sirom Toli Sarna Sthal. It was decided the protest will continue, and every year June 5 will be observed as Black Day with an effigy of Hemant Soren burnt," Toppo said.

Dev Kumar Dhan, former state minister and convenor of Adivasi Samanvay Samiti, confirmed the development, saying tribals strongly objected to the way the chief minister "played with their sentiments".

"Tribals felt deceived after the flyover was inaugurated without prior information, a day after the bandh. Hence, the decision to observe June 5 as Black Day was taken," he said.