Hundreds of JMM workers and farmers from far-flung areas poured on the busy Subernarekha Link Road in Sakchi on Monday, protesting against the Centre's land ordinance and the state's reluctance to come up with a domicile policy.

Around 1,000 agitators, including 40 bare-bodied youths from Baguria in Ghatshila with traditional weapons, staged a demonstration in front of the district collectorate, blocking the main gate as well as the link road for a couple of hours since noon.

The protest threw the vehicular movement out of gear, leaving commuters, especially those going towards Mango, different parts of Sakchi and Bhuiyandih, stranded on Subernarekha Link Road.

With the administration struggling to ease the bottleneck, the ripple effects of the stir could be felt on other arteries such as Straight Mile Road (linking Sakchi to Northern Town, Bistupur) and Pipeline Road (linking Sakchi to Jubilee Park) among others.

Long-distance buses, going towards Odisha and West Singhbhum, were also caught up in the jam.

The agitators shouted slogans against the Union government for bringing the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill and the state government for failing to formulate a domicile policy before starting the teachers' recruitment process.

"It was a symbolic protest to draw the government's attention. But, if any attempt is made to snatch farmers and tribals' land, they will resort to violent protests," said Mahabir Murmu, JMM East Singhbhum district president.

A JMM delegate later submitted a memorandum, addressed to President Pranab Mukherjee, to the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner.

"We have submitted the memorandum at district collectorate, requesting the President to intervene in this issue to protect the interest of poor tribals. The Centre's land ordinance is in violation of provisions of various tenancy acts and is meant to serve the interest of capitalists. We will intensify our protests if our land is snatched and given to industrialists," said Murmu.

Former Ghatshila MLA Ramdas Soren said the land ordinance contradicted what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said during his election campaign.

"Modi formed the government by misleading people. But the JMM will not allow the BJP to sell out the state. If situation arises, we are prepared for violent agitation," he added.