JMM MLA blasts Hemant Soren

A Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA on Sunday strongly criticised Hemant Soren, claiming that the former Chief Minister had ignored his advice and that landed him in jail.

The JMM manifesto ahead of the 2019 state polls had promised the implementation of Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, pointed out Lobin Hembrom, who represents Borio seat in Sahibganj district.

The central law, Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, has also not been implemented in the state, Hembrom said at an event organised by a non-political organisation.

The first two laws are aimed at protecting land rights of tribals, while the PESA Act empowers the gram sabha to protect tribals from exploitation. “The gram sabha has no power now. If the PESA Act was implemented, it would be more powerful. When none of these shields (for tribals) was implemented, we were forced to form this forum, Jharkhand Bachao Morcha,” he said.

“Jharkhand was formed after such a struggle under Shibu Soren. But even today, these issues have not been resolved at the ground. People are now calling me a traitor,” said the legislator, adding that he would sever all ties with the JMM.

Hembrom’s salvo comes just a day ahead of present Chief Minister Champai Soren’s floor test in the House on Monday to prove his majority.

Champai Soren took after Hemant Soren, who is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate over a land scam, resigned as Chief Minister on Wednesday. The present Chief Minister has claimed to have the support of 47 MLAs.

Hembrom said he would see how the government under Champai Soren functions, adding that he would keep raising issues in the Assembly.

“There have been a lot of irregularities. IAS officers are involved. Now people are going to jail. Our former Chief Minister was also sent to jail,” he said.

The MLA said he had spoken to Hemant Soren on this issue. “I had warned him that the people around him are maligning his image and he should be careful. He replied that I speak nonsense and this gives an opportunity to the opposition. I had then told him that he and Shibu Soren are my leaders and I cannot tolerate your disrespect. If he had heeded my advice, he would not have seen this day,” he said.

Hembrom said the state government has snatched the land of tribals in the name of airport, dams and industries.