Chhipadohar (Jharkhand), Nov.18 (ANI): Perhaps not all master craftsmen or artists find their due place in life. Despite having a huge potential to astonish art lovers at national galleries, Jeetu Mistri of Jharkhand's Palamu District is living nobody's life.

Despite being an impressive woodwork artist of animals and idols that have won him countless accolades and a gold medal at the national level exhibition, the sexagenarian is leading a pitiable life at his Chhipadohar Village near Betla National Park.

A wood sculptor of extraordinary excellence, Jeetu has mastered the art of sculpting animals and idols. But for lacking the quintessential patronage for his artworks, the sculptor finding it hard to even survive with the dignity of an artist of his perfection.

Earlier, he used to do the work of patching and decorating the bones of snakes in the Nature's Museum of Betla National Park. This art of sculpting with bones motivated him to try the same on wood.

"I got this inspiration from Betla National Park where I, along with my father, used to join the snake bones for display in the museum. We always thought of making it from wood and we finally started this work," said Jeetu Mistri.

With wood, Jeetu has made several attractive sculptures of animals like snakes, buffaloes, deer and idols of God.

He claims to have been once invited to display his work abroad, but refused while contending that he didn't wish to barter country's art for money with foreigners. But little did this artist thought, that he was refusing a lifetime offer.

Today, Jeetu eagerly awaits support from the State government or District administration to survive his special art in woodwork.

"I make it with so much of labour but we don't earn even half of the amount we spend on its material. So we have slowed down the speed of our work because we have to educate children too. If the Government provides us some support, we can create a better work," he added.

Neighbours and friends are also disappointed to see such an artist of great potential living such a miserable life.

"He crafts the sculptures of wild animals like snakes, elephants but he doesn't get the enough money for his art. He is doing this work for many years just to save his art," said Kamta Prasad, a neighbour. (ANI)
--MP

Labels: Business, International, Jharkhand, Manipur

Chatra (Jharkhand), Nov.18 (ANI): In what is being seen as taking inspiration from "Lok Adalat" (or, the people's court) being run in various parts of the country, Maoist organisations in Jharkhand are adopting the move to promote a positive image among locals.

Tritiya Prastuti Committee, a Maoist organisation that holds People's Court at Chatra, is just one of them. It claims to put a check on crime in the areas under its influence through "Jan Adalat."

The Maoist organisation has conducted a series of people's courts at and around Chatra, Latehar and Ranchi districts of the State.

At one such "Jan Adalat" held recently, three persons were presented for allegedly trying to waylay some vendors of diesel and lubricants.

"We were searching for Communist Party of India (CPI) Maoists in their area. While preparing to get inside their vicinity, I noticed these three guys on motorbikes. On questioning, it was learnt that one of them, Santosh Oraon, was the brother of Roshan Oraon, a CPI Maoist's sub zone commander," said Bheekamjee, Area Commander of Tritiya Prastuti Committee.

"Later, one of them from Gonda village, Puri, started running. That's when I doubted that all of them belong to CPI Maoist group, and asked my cadre to fire them", he added.

It was claimed that the Tritya Prasuti Committee cadre workers recovered arms from the nabbed persons and this included two .315 guns, one mobile phone, and a dagger.

"We have been beaten up by them. They freed us, when we told them the truth. But next time, if we are caught, they will surely shoot us," said Santosh Oraon, one of the three persons tried by "Janata Adalat".

Though these public courts are claimed to be held for various reasons, but the purpose of creating a positive image among the locals cannot be denied.

Culprits found involved in crimes like dowry, theft and others are punished. At times, even police officials also fall prey to them.

Meanwhile, the overall Maoist movement in the region has also suffered due to splits and formation of umpteen factions.

In fact, CPI Maoists have suffered a major setback in Districts like Palmaon, Latehan, Gumla, Lohardaga and Chhtava, which at one time used to be the stronghold of their cadres.

It is said that in these districts, the organisation suffered a vertical split in the name of caste.

Also at same places, cadres revolted for the demand of "levy", which is basically extortion from the mine owners and transporters of minerals and other ores. It is said that the huge amount raised through extortion was usually cornered by the top brass among the Maoists.

Presently, besides Tritya Prasuti Committee, organisations like Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC) and others are also holding Jan Adalats. They generally pick cases related to the rival cadre persons and punishing them on some criminal charge. (ANI)
--MP

Labels: Business, International, Jharkhand, Manipur

Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Nov 7 (ANI): An enraged mob in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district ransacked an army post on Wednesday after army men demolished a temple that was under construction.

 

According to the Compound's caretakers, soldiers stormed the premises at around 2.00 a.m. while everyone was a sleep. They then demolished the under construction temple wall which was about two to three feet high.

 

"At least 300-350 army men came and bundled us in a corner and trained their guns at us like terrorists. They vandalised the place where a fire ritual was in progress, smashed bulbs and destroyed microphones," said Mukesh Yadav, one of the ten caretakers.

 

When the public came to know about the incident, they ransacked the army post. Protesters also blocked the traffic on the two national highways.

 

The army's claim that the land belongs to them has been rejected.

 

The police has initiated an inquiry into the incident, said Veenukant Homekar, the district Superintendent of Police.

 

The temple is being constructed again. (ANI)

Labels: Jharkhand

MP: Kanpur/Ranchi, Oct 27 (ANI): Condemning the killing of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi's son Anup Marandi in the Naxal attack, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said that the culprits would not go unpunished.

"We condemn this attack. Whosoever is responsible, strict action will be taken against them. We are in touch with the Jharkhand Government. We are trying to stop such incidents from happening in the future at any cost," Jaiswal said.

Sixteen people, including son Anup Marandi, were killed by Maoists at Chilkhadia village in Jharkhand's Giridih District at around 1.00 a.m.

According to eyewitnesses, about 50 Maoists, including 12 women, raided a village during a cultural programme.

Deputy Inspector General of Police R K Mullick said the incident occurred during a cultural programme when heavily armed naxalites attacked and opened indiscriminate fire on the gathering.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Arun Kumar Singh said, "About 30 Naxalites had mingled with the crowd during the cultural programme organised by Nunulal."

While Marandi's son Anup was killed on the spot, his brother Nunulal managed to escape unhurt.

Four injured, including two women, are undergoing treatment at Giridih hospital.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda also condemned the killing of Anup Marandi.

"It is a sad incident, in which Anup Marandi was killed. Such attacks and earlier ones were in retaliation of police action against them. In last few months, police has arrested a number of Naxals and destroyed their bunkers, training camps," Koda said.

Koda, who had spoken to Marandi, will also visit the village.

The Government announced Rs 1 lakh compensation for the families of all those who were killed.

Earlier in the day, Marandi blamed the Central and State Government for the attack and said his family was being targeted.

"I would say that today in the state and in the country such incidents occur at their (Naxalites) own will. It feels as if the government has no control over them. Yesterday's incident is a clear indication that my family is being targeted and that's why my brother and son were attacked," he said.

Earlier this year, the General Secretary of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
(JMM) and Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur  Sunil Mahato had been killed by Naxalities about 40 km from Ranchi while attending a football match.

The Maoists looted the weapons held by the lawmaker's bodyguards and fired at them before torching Mahato's car.

Jharkhand is one of the 13 states hit by the Maoist insurgency that began more than three decades ago.

The Naxals say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers and attack security forces, government officials, politicians and state property.

According to Home Ministry, 76 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are 'badly affected by Maoist violence'. (ANI)

Labels: Jharkhand

MP: Jharkhand, Oct 27 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today condemned the Naxal attack in which seventeen people, including former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi's son Anup Marandi, was killed.

"It is a sad incident, in which Anup Marandi was killed. Such attacks and earlier ones were in retaliation of police action against them. In last few months, police has arrested a number of Naxals and destroyed their bunkers, training camps," Koda said.

Koda, who had spoken to Marandi, will also visit the village.

The Government announced Rs 1 lakh compensation for the families of all those who were killed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police R K Mullick said the incident took place at Chilkhadia village in Jharkhand's Giridih District at around 1.00 a.m.

"The incident occurred during a cultural programme when heavily armed naxalites attacked and opened indiscriminate fire on the gathering," said Mullick.

Marandi's brother Nunulal, who was also present, escaped unhurt.

Four injured, including two women, are undergoing treatment at Giridih hospital.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Arun Kumar Singh said that about 30 Naxalites had mingled with the crowd during the cultural programme organised by Nunulal.

Earlier in the day, Babulal Marandi, who represents the Koderma Lok Sabha constituency, said that the entire nation is their target.

"My family has been the target of Maoist rebels for a long time as we have been fighting against them and organising villagers to rebel against them. Yesterday, their target was my family and since my brother and my son were there in that function they were clear targets for them," he said.

Giridih is the home district of Babulal Marandi.

In March, Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur, Sunil Mahato was shot dead by Naxalities about 40 km from Ranchi while attending a football match.

Jharkhand is one of the 13 states hit by the Maoist insurgency that began more than three decades ago.

According to Home Ministry, 76 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are 'badly affected by Maoist violence'. (ANI)

Labels: Jharkhand

MP: Jharkhand, Oct 27 (ANI): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal
Marandi's son Anup Marandi was killed in a Naxal attack at Chilkhadia
village in Jharkhand's Giridih District late on Friday night.

Around 15 persons were also reportedly killed and four other seriously
injured in the incident which took place at around 1.00 a.m.

According to media reports, the incident occurred during a cultural
programme when heavily armed naxalites attacked and opened
indiscriminate fire on the gathering.

Giridih is the home district of Babulal Marandi, who represents the
Koderma Lok Sabha constituency.

Jharkhand is one of the 13 states hit by the Maoist insurgency that
began more than three decades ago.

According to Home Ministry, 76 districts in Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are 'badly affected by Maoist violence'.
(ANI)

Labels: Jharkhand

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