STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

RANCHI, June 27. – The Jharkhand Adivasi Janadhikar Manch, headed by the BJP MP from Mayurbhanj, Mr Salkhan Murmu, has called a Jharkhand bandh on 22 July in protest against the job reservation policy of the Babulal Marandi government.

The manch also announced at a rally today that it planned to gherao prominent Adivasi leaders of the state, including the chief minister, and the JMM chief, Mr Shibu Soren, on 12 July.

Mr Murmu, has been demanding 60 per cent reservation for Adivasis. He said Mr Marandi would be gheraoed in Giridih, Mr Soren in Bokaro, Jharkhand’s welfare minister, Mr Arjun Munda, in Kharsawan, Cabinet minister Mr Ramesh Singh Munda in Bundu, and the BJP MP from Lohardaga, Mr Dukha Bhagat, in Ranchi.

BJP contemplates action: The BJP is contemplating disciplinary action against Mr Murmu.

Hinting at expelling Mr Murmu from the BJP, the party’s national vice-president, Mr Kailash Pati Mishra, who recently took over as in-charge of party affairs in Jharkhand, told reporters that though he was not authorised to take action against the MP, he did not agree with Mr Murmu.