District roads to be blocked

Hazaribagh: Rajdhanwar legislator Ravindra Rai on Sunday announced a blockade of roads across the state districts to be held on February 24.

The decision was taken to intensify the ?Hazaribagh Samman Bachao Andolan? that was initiated by the senior BJP leader, Yashwant Sinha.

Rai said all vehicles, including trains transporting goods and minerals, will be stopped on the day. He added that the former chief minister, Babulal Marandi, will lead workers in Parsabad to stop all goods trains carrying minerals to other parts of the country.

All the local legislators from the respective areas are expected to remain present during the 24-hour-long blockade. So far, the chosen areas for the blockade are, Patratu, Jamtara, Lalmatia, Garhwa Road, besides Parsabad railway station. Protesters, however, have been cautioned to not disturb the passengers at any cost.

Rai added that the Union government has failed to take notice of this agitation, which is being organised to stop the step-motherly treatment to the state.

Yashwant Sinha on Sunday declared the past two days of the economic blockade in Barhi as successful. Ninety-six workers were arrested and were later released in the last blockade. So far the protest strategy has been finalised till February 24.

Body discovered

HAZARIBAGH: The body of a shovel operator, Subrato Roy, from Ghato , was recovered near a railway track in Sijuria Basti, Kujju, in Ramgarh, on Sunday.

Roy?s wife?s body was also recovered from the same place on December 17. At that time the matter was considered to be a case of suicide. But Sunday?s recovery of Roy?s body from the same place has made police suspect foul play in the dual death.

Club meet

Giridih: The conference for the region-V of the Lions Clubs International was held at Banarsi Devi Smirti Bhavan on Sunday. Several district dignitaries of the club took part in the programme, where the work records for the past year was checked. Past district governors were also honoured by the club. The district governor, R.N.S. Diwakar, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Legal camp

Giridih: District legal service authority on Sunday held a legal literacy and awareness camp at Motileda village in Bengabad block. On the occasion, a drama titled: ?Dulhan hi dahej hai? was also performed by artistes. The district and sessions judge, D.N. Upadhayay, deputy commissioner Vinay Kumar Ambust and superintendent of police Anurag Gupta, were also present.

Road deaths

Jamshedpur: Thirtyseven-year-old Banwali Mahto, who was hit by an unidentified truck on the Kandra-Adityapur Road, on Sunday, succumbed to injuries at the MGM College and Hospital. The doctor declared Mahto as brought dead. Mahto was riding a motorcycle. In another fatal accident, a 37-year-old unknown person was crushed by a speeding truck, under the Bistupur police station on Saturday night.

Tribal festival

Ranchi: A two-day-long tribal dance and music festival concluded in the city on Sunday. The programme was organised by a youth organisation ? Hope. The festival was held to combat the imperialistic forces and promote cultural harmony in the state. Over 100 tribal and non-tribal artistes across the state participated in the event. They presented programmes depicting the culture of Santhals, Mundas, Kharias and Oraons ? all natives of Jharkhand. The programme coordinator, Praveen Kumar, said this was the first time that the organisation tried to bring tribal artistes together on one platform. Ten voluntary organisations had extended their support.

Technica-2006, a technical symposium, concluded on Sunday at the National Institute of Technology. The event, which kicked off on February 17 brought together students from different technical institutions across the country.