Soren opposed forcible acquisition of fertile tribal farmland, not the hospital, citing available barren and state land
Ranchi
Political tensions in Jharkhand escalated over land acquisition for the proposed RIMS-2 medical college in Ranchi’s Nagdi area after former Chief Minister Champai Soren announced a massive public mobilisation. Soren said he will organise an “Adivasi Maha Darbar” from October 5 to 11 near the disputed land, expecting 1.5 to 2 lakh participants from across the state.
Soren clarified that his opposition is not to the hospital itself but to the alleged “forcible acquisition” of fertile tribal farmland, despite availability of barren land and state land bank plots. He accused the government of stopping farmers from cultivating their land without completing proper legal procedures.
Addressing claims by ministers that outsiders were being brought into the protests, Soren countered that the government is settling people from Bangladesh and criticised its stance on labelling tribal protests as external mobilisation. He stressed that the fight is for tribal farmers’ rights and livelihood.
Soren also reminded that Jharkhand’s statehood movement was rooted in protecting tribal land and rights, and that today, the same farmers are forced to struggle to safeguard their property. The RIMS-2 dispute has already sparked ongoing protests in Nagdi, with farmers demanding the government reconsider its choice of site.
Local residents and activists allege administrative repression in the area, and tensions remain high as the planned Adivasi Maha Darbar approaches. The issue continues to dominate political debate in the state, highlighting the sensitive nature of land acquisition in tribal regions.