August 20, 2025

A wave of unrest is brewing in Jharkhand as tribal organisations gear up for a candlelight march in Ranchi on the evening of August 20, 2025. The march aims to protest the death of Surya Narayan Hansda, a man wanted in several criminal cases, who died in an alleged encounter with security forces. "The tribal organisations will take out a candlelight march in Ranchi this evening to protest against the encounter that led to the death of Surya Hansda. We demand justice for him. There was a conspiracy in the killing of Hansda," declared Jai Adivasi Kendriya Parishad president Niranjana Toppo with fiery conviction. Hansda, who had contested assembly elections on tickets of multiple political parties, was arrested on August 10 from Nawadih village in Deoghar. Police said the encounter occurred when Hansda was being taken to Rahadbadia Hills to retrieve hidden weapons. According to Godda police, Hansda grabbed a weapon from an officer and fired while trying to escape, forcing the police to shoot back, resulting in his death. However, tribal leaders fiercely reject this version and call the incident a planned "murder." To press their demand for justice, Bablu Munda, president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti, announced that another march will be held on August 23, this time heading to Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The situation is tense as Jharkhand’s indigenous community expresses deep distrust and anger toward the authorities. Will these candlelight marches light the way to justice? The next few days in Ranchi will surely be watched closely by all.

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Jharkhand, Surya narayan hansda, Tribal organisations, Candlelight march, Encounter death, Justice demand,