The Jharkhand Olymics

The Jharkhand government has decided to build a 8216;world class sports complex8217; 6 km from Ranchi adjacent the Indian Army8217;s 23 I...

The Jharkhand government has decided to build a 8216;world class sports complex8217; 6 km from Ranchi adjacent the Indian Army8217;s 23 Infantary Division complex at Deepatoli. It had already transfered the land to the state8217;s Sports Department and also awarded a contract to a Singapore based company- Meinhardt-SAA-Loomba Associates-to render it with a road map, 8216;concept, plan, design, engineering, consultancy and other related services for development and construction of the proposed modern state of the art mega sports complex on it. The task to operationalise the Rs 200 project belongs to Sports Department Director Amitabh Choudhary, an IPS officer. 8216;We want to replicate the summer Olympics. All Olympic disciplines with some modifications will be held here,8217;8217;said Choudhary, who is B.E Mechanics from IIT Kharagpur. The plot for the village has yet to be finalised. The state government8217;s move comes after the Indian Olympic Association signed a MoU with it last month authorising it to host the National Games in 2007.In 2004 and 2003 these games were held in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab respectively.

Banking on Naxals

Banks in Naxalite-infested areas of the state have become vulnerable to attack by the Naxalites after they took to bank dacoity resulting in crores of rupees being looted in more than half a dozen separate incidents this year in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Palamau and Chatra. But this is an old story. There is another twist to the tale. After the bankers approached the police for security, the top brass of the state lacking in man power sought an excuse as they were unable to meet their demand. Now, DGP Shivaji Mahan Kaire had asked the SPs to encourage bank personnel as well as post offices in respective districts to keep lisenced weapons and domesticate street dogs to keep the naxals at bay.

Can keeping guns and dogs drive away the naxals, asked a worried manager of the bank. His sentiments were rooted in the fact that licensed weapons were target Number One for the Naxals who had disarmed many in their areas of influence by robbing arms during the past ten years.

Luxury rooms at the top

The BJP is holding a three day national executive meeting begining with a rally here at the Morahabadi maidan on November 24. Chief Minister Arjun Munda is burning the midnight oil. Scores of meetings of the party have been held over the past three nights at the CM8217;s official residence.

All over the state there are hoardings and posters carrying the pictures of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and former Dputy PM and BJP President Lal Krishna Advani with a common slogan-8216;Mahangai, Atankwad Aur Ugrawad Ke Khilap Shankhnad8217; struggle against price rise, terrorism and naxals. The deliberations of the executive meeting are going to take place under the colourful pandal being pitched on the manicured lawns of the ITDC run hotel Ashok. The top brass of the BJP including Vajpayee and Advani are to stay at this hotel. For other executive members of the BJP,four top hotels of the city, Capitol Hill,Yubraj Palace, Kwality Inn and Chinar have been booked. The oweners are naturally thrilled and notified that no rooms were available.

One fort in the grave

Chief Minister Arjun Munda has done little to preserve and protect the only fort in the Palamau division of Jharkhand which had remained unconquered for centuries.

The fort of Palamau with its 40 feet high walls had resisted all invaders for about two centuries. Situated inside the dense forest of the Palamau Tiger Reserve, 180 KM from Ranchi, the fort was built and retained by indegenous tribal kings, Sahabul Rai,Bhagwat Rai and Medini Rai belonging to the Chero tribe in the pre Mughal period 1200-1300 AD.

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However,the ancient fort, its walls, staircases, pillars, gates and gardens are in ruins. In fact, the fort has been used by Naxalites as their hideout.