Clash proves directionless politics

The clash between supporters of the JMM and the Trinamool Congress at the Birsa Munda airport on Monday which later spilled into the streets indicated that political parties in the state have lost direction..

Armed with black flags, the JMM workers first clashed with the Trinamool supporters who were at the airport to receive their MP K D Singh, who was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon in a chartered flight, and in the process of chasing them they ran amuck on the adjoining streets creating panic among residents and commuters there.

The protesters then targeted public transports and private vehicles breaking glasses of three-wheelers loaded with passengers. Several people, including three wheeler drivers, were hurt in the clash. "The fight is between the JMM and the Trinamool. Why are we being harassed," asked a passenger. Their voices of protest were, however, greeted with abuses and expletives by the workers. The JMM was venting its ire against Singh who won the Rajya Sabha seat on a JMM ticket and crossed over to the Trinamool recently.

The Doranda police and the CISF both were present during the clash, but no case has been registered against the protesters nor has there been any arrest.

"We had resorted to a peaceful and democratic form of protest and there was no violence," said Supriyo Bhattacharya, the JMM spokesperson. "No case has been lodged against the workers which proves that here was no violence," he said blatantly despite video footage and photographs showed the hour-long rampage.

According to Bhattacharya, the MP's aircraft circled over Ranchi airport but failed to land after he was told of the clashes down below.

Singh, however, told a local news channel over the phone that he was the representative of Jharkhand in Parliament and wanted to serve its people. He said on receiving reports of violence between the workers of the two parties he contacted senior police officers who advised him not to come to Ranchi as this would evoke more protests.