The Jharkhand Assembly witnessed chaos on Thursday following the murder of BJP leader Anil Mahto 'Tiger'. The opposition and treasury bench members clashed over the deteriorating law and order situation, leading to an early adjournment of the House.
Anil Mahto, the Ranchi Rural district general secretary of the BJP and a former Zilla Parishad member, was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants near Kanke Chowk in Ranchi on Wednesday.
His killing sparked protests from BJP legislators, who vociferously raised the issue in the Assembly, accusing the ruling government of failing to maintain security in the state.
As soon as the House convened for the day's proceedings, BJP legislators stormed into the Well, demanding justice for their slain leader and blaming the government for the worsening crime situation. Ranchi MLA C. P. Singh strongly criticised the administration and urged Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato to "stop patronizing a murderous government."
In response, Jharkhand Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar countered the BJP's accusations, alleging that the party itself was responsible for lawlessness in the state.
"Criminal incidents are unfortunate, but why has Hazaribag become the epicenter of such activities today? Provocation is being made to disturb law and order. The BJP is attempting to destabilise Jharkhand by inciting conflicts between communities and putting the state government on trial," he said.
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The heated exchanges escalated, with members from both the opposition and the ruling coalition storming into the Well, chanting slogans against each other.
Despite repeated pleas from Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato for order, the uproar continued, forcing him to adjourn the House until 12:55 pm.
Meanwhile, an FIR was filed against 10 named individuals and 200 unidentified persons in connection with a recent communal clash and stone-pelting incident in Hazaribag. The violence erupted over the playing of an objectionable song during a religious procession, further intensifying political tensions in the state.
Outside the Assembly, BJP legislators staged protests, demanding swift action against Anil Mahto's killers and calling for the culprits to be hanged.
The outrage extended beyond the political arena, as supporters of the BJP, AJSU Party, and various other organisations took to the streets of Ranchi, enforcing a nine-hour bandh from 8 am to 5 pm in protest against the murder.
The killing of the BJP leader has intensified political unrest in Jharkhand, with the opposition vowing to keep the pressure on the government until justice is served.
Also Read: Uproar in Jharkhand Assembly over Hazaribag stone pelting
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