Pioneer News Service
Pakur
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP state president Babulal Marandi on Saturday raised concerns over alleged demographic changes, illegal migration, voter-list irregularities and illegal mining in the Santhal Pargana region.
Addressing a press conference at Pakur Circuit House during his two-day visit, Marandi claimed that the voter population in Pakur, Littipara and Maheshpur assembly constituencies had increased disproportionately between 2019 and 2024. He cited official figures to claim that the rise in the number of Muslim voters was significantly higher than that of non-Muslim voters.
Marandi alleged that outsiders were being settled in the region in violation of the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act through fake genealogical records and certificates, with alleged support from sections of the administration. He urged the Election Commission to conduct a special verification drive using old records and land documents and remove fraudulent names from electoral rolls.
He also criticised the Hemant Soren government over its mineral policy and the MMDR Act amendment. Marandi alleged that additional levies on coal and iron ore had affected legal mining and industry, while creating conditions favourable for illegal mining and smuggling.
He further alleged that transparent auctions of sand ghats and stone mines had remained stalled for years, causing difficulties for ordinary consumers while illegal transportation continued.
Marandi said a proposed national-level committee examining demographic changes would also study the situation in Santhal Pargana. BJP leaders Dinesh William Marandi, Sarita Murmu and Durga Marandi were present at the press conference.
