Champai Soren placed under house arrest over RIMS-2 land dispute

Former Chief Minister Champai Soren was placed under house arrest by Ranchi police on Sunday, ahead of plans to plough the proposed site for RIMS-2 in Kanke-Nagdi. DSP V Raman confirmed that the measure was taken as a preventive step to maintain law and order. Soren will not be allowed to leave his residence.

Speaking from his home, Soren clarified that his opposition is not to RIMS-2 per se, but to the use of land belonging to local tribal communities. “There are several government and low-yield plots in Ranchi where RIMS-2 could be constructed. My protest is to protect tribal land,” he said, adding that his campaign against the land acquisition will continue.

Advertisement

Soren also reported that supporters and family members were detained. People travelling to Ranchi since Saturday night were stopped or taken into custody, including his son Babulal. Farmers in Nagdi were similarly prevented from joining the site. Soren described the house arrest as part of the ongoing movement to safeguard community land.

Reacting to the house arrest, Rakesh Sinha, state Congress general secretary and media in-charge, said that no one should be allowed to create disorder in society or the city under the pretext of any programme. “If attempts are made to disrupt the environment, administrative action is inevitable. BJP leaders appear intent on creating chaos, and such demonstrations inconvenience the public.

“Addressing the public’s concerns is our priority. The BJP, which he accused of coming to power through alleged electoral malpractice, is now causing difficulties under the guise of development,” he said.

Sinha further alleged that BJP leaders were frustrated after failing to give Champai Soren any responsibility despite his ambitions to become Chief Minister. “With no official work assigned, they have chosen to turn development into destruction,” he added.