Sudhir Mahto in Jamshedpur on Thursday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Nov. 3: Arjun Munda need not expect criticism from the Opposition alone, as he set out today on a statewide tour to inspect roads.

JMM leader Sudhir Mahto announced that the party would set up a blockade on NH-33 on Monday to protest against administrative apathy towards the highway.

Vehicular movement is likely to remain paralysed for a major part of the day, the former deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahto told mediapersons in Jamshedpur.

“We will block the highway at Fadlugora on the Ranchi-Jamshedpur stretch. The blockade will start at 7am and continue for over four hours.”

Mahto pointed out that plying on the highway had become a risky affair, as the condition of the stretch from Chandil to Baharagora had deteriorated drastically.

“I have personally apprised the government of the poor condition of roads, especially NH-33, but no concrete steps have been taken so far. We are blocking the highway once again to attract the government’s attention,” he added.

The JMM vice-president complained of shoddy repair work, saying that potholes had been filled up with slag that could gradually make the stretch slushy and also cause accidents.

Mahto also deplored the attack by prison staff on former chief minister Madhu Koda inside Birsa Munda Central Jail on Monday. “The attack on Koda indicates that the democratic set-up in Jharkhand has paralysed. In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. I am shocked at the incident. I am heading for Ranchi today to meet Koda and get more details about the incident,” he added.

He said a probe by a retired judge of the high court should have been ordered soon after the attack on the Singhbhum MP. The JMM leader demanded that the inquiry be completed within 10 days and those guilty be severely punished.

Referring to the attack on Koda and former ministers, Mahto said, “Naukarshah sarkar par havi hai (The bureaucracy is calling the shots in Jharkhand).”