Protestors call bandh to stop teachers’ test

The violence stems from Chief Minister Arjun Munda’s announcement to appoint 10,000 trained teachers (TTs) before July 31. At the same time, several political parties have called for a two-day bandh on May 26-27 demanding cancellation of the test.

The government brought out ads for the appointment of TTs asking the applicants to attach a certificate issued by the Circle Officer of the concerned districts, showing his own/his ancestors’ names figure in the land records of 1932. But since this policy disqualifies thousands of people who settled down in this state post-1932, there was widespread protest.

The pro-domicile group also argues that the government decision is in contravention of the ruling of a five-member Jharkhand High Court bench last year that questioned the domicile policy. While observing that the policy envisaging ‘‘preferential treatment to local residents in matters of employment in Class III and IV jobs is all right,’’ the court had directed the government to redefine ‘‘local person’’ on the criteria followed in other states and its unanimous judgement noted: ‘‘…the state’s definition of local person is not as per law.’’

Today, on the eve of the test for TTs, the government is yet to notify the definition of ‘‘local person.’’ As far as this lapse is concerned, this is what the officials have to offer: ‘‘This will be done after the test is over.’’

The CM reasons: ‘‘Language and culture of people are the criteria to define a local person. Nobody has welcomed his perception and Jharkhand Dishum Party chief Salkhan Murmu has filed a PIL charging the government with contempt of court.’’

‘‘We will die but not let the JPSC hold the test,’’ claims James Lakra, a member of pro-domicile outfit Jharkhand Adivasi-Moolwasi Manch whose dozen-odd leaders, including its president Bandu Tirkey and Murmu who have been jailed. ‘‘Tirkey’s supporters were behind the grenade explosions outside the JPSC office. They had exploded bombs around the same place in June last year,’’ says a cop.

The pro-domicile leaders have been telling their supporters to drive away the ‘‘outsiders’’ to prevent them from appearing in the test. ‘‘We want the government to accord 100 per cent preference to locals. Till our demand is not fulfilled, we will not allow the JPSC hold the test,’’ says Jharkhand Party leader Mustaq Ali.

Meanwhile, even as Opposition support for pro-domicile outfits is increasing, anti-domicile outfits like Jharkhand Yuva Sangharsh Morcha and Jharkhand Yuva Chatra Sangh (JYCS) are keeping up their campaign. ‘‘These leaders were anti-national. The government must not buckle under their pressure and cancel the test,’’ says JYCS leader Raju. ‘‘If there is any violence during the bandh, we will give a befitting reply,’’ he says.

DGP R.R. Prasad said Section 144 had been enforced and six companies of forces were deployed in the capital to maintain law and order during the forthcoming bandhs.

Meanwhile, aspirants like 26-year-old Lalit who haven’t got their admit cards, are left feeling cheated. ‘‘I had filled the form well in time. Without the admit card, how will I sit for the exam?’’ he asked. He is just one of the 75,000 applicants. JPSC Section Officer Ashok Kumar assures: ‘‘The test is still two days away. We are going to issue duplicate admit cards.’’