Soren: life threat

Giridih, Nov. 24: Living in Jharkhand is dangerous, feels none other than JMM chief Shibu Soren, who said he fears for his life like the common people of the state.

Soren was in Giridih to face trial in the Pirtand double murder case, which was reopened today at the court of the first additional district and sessions judge. ?I fear for my life as the common people of Jharkhand do. There is no law and order in the state and no one is safe here,? he told reporters here at the Circuit House.

When asked to explain his statement, he said, ?If policemen, advocates and common people have been killed in our state, how can I be safe under these circumstances? A recent report published in a Hindi newspaper shows that around 3,500 police personnel have been killed in the state so far.?

Soren said he would not ask for more security from the state government. ?The people who can send me to jail can do anything. I am not scared of death. Maybe, I will not ask for more security from the government but I do admit that in this situation, no one is safe here.?

The JMM leader also reiterated the party?s claim on two berths in the Union ministry. ?There has been no discussion either with Sonia Gandhi or the Prime Minister but two JMM leaders should have been absorbed in the ministry,? he said.

The trial proceedings could not go on on as defence counsel Prakash Sahay filed a petition before the court of Manoranjan Kavi, saying they are yet to receive the complete case diary from the police. Prosecution lawyer Virendra Rai, in his argument, pointed out that according to the FIR filed by Jang Bahadur, Soren killed two persons by mobilising a 2,000-strong crowd.

Manoranjan Kavi, the additional district and sessions judge, Manoranjan Kavi, took arguments of the defence lawyer and fixed November 29 as the next date for hearing.

Soren was present in the court during the proceedings in keeping with the high court order, directing him to be present physically on each and every trial date.