JMM blames BJP for Hul Diwas clash, alleges 'Manipur model'

SAHIBGANJ SP AMIT KUMAR SINGH SAID THAT ONE FIR WAS REGISTERED BASED ON THE STATEMENT OF A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND THE OTHER ON THE STATEMENT OF A LOCAL VILLAGER, RUPCHAND MURMU

- Vishal Kant

RANCHI: Terming the clash between tribals and the police at Bhognadih in Sahebganj on Hul Diwas on Monday as a 'conspiracy', the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to implement the 'Manipur model' in the tribal-dominated Santhal Parganas division of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya underlined that the Hemant Soren government would "crush any attempt to implement the Manipur model in the state", alleging that senior leaders of the BJP were involved in the incident.

By the 'Manipur model', JMM refers to an alleged BJP tactic of inciting conflict by pitting one tribal group against another, as seen in the ethnic violence in the northeastern state. Around a dozen villagers and five policemen were injured in the clash between the force and tribals at Bhognadih on June 30—observed as Hul Diwas, commemorating the beginning of the Santhal Rebellion by the tribals led by brothers Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu against the British in 1855 at Bhognadih.