Ranchi, June 9: For the third consecutive year Birsa Munda’s death anniversary highlighted the government’s apathy towards developing his samadhi at Kokar as a memorial befitting the legendary status of the tribal icon.

With chief minister Arjun Munda restricting his itinerary to garlanding a statue of the legend at Birsa Chowk, Kokar bridge, the place where Birsa Munda was cremated 103 years ago still remains neglected.

The spot was earmarked by the government in 2000 and a structure constructed near Lalpur vegetable market the next year. The place was to be developed and a raised structure was to be built in memory of the tribal hero. But no work has been done till date.

The place has become a dumping ground for vegetable sellers and butchers who have set up shops next to the spot. Local residents of the area have approached the district administration and urged it to shift the market to another place. But no action has been taken so far.

A board has also been put up by the administration on the roadside indicating the spot where Birsa was cremated. But the board is covered with rust and the paint has started peeling off.

An accident near Kokar bridge has twisted the metal board and the writing on it has faded.

“The bushes and garbage dumped in the area is cleared by the administration once a year on the death anniversary of Birsa Munda. After the formation of Jharkhand the first thing the government should have done was to construct Birsa Munda’s tomb,” said a resident of Kokar, Pramod Kachchap.

According to the administration’s plan, a circular dome was to be constructed on a platform at the spot where Birsa was cremated.