Jamtara, July 21: The Chirudih massacre on January 23, 1975, was the result of “retaliation” to the attack on a Santhal village the same day. This was stated in the first information report (FIR) that was lodged at the Narayanpur police station a day after the incident.
The document also indicates that the tribals were only armed with bows and arrows while the opposite side had firearms. And a closer look will also not please the communists since it suggests that those who had been targeting the tribals had actually gathered under the banner of the Communist Party of India.
The FIR was registered on the basis of a written report submitted by the magistrate on duty I.C. Mishra and the in-charge of the armed police reinforcement J.P. Singh. The two officials said as they were proceeding towards the spot, they found “villagers running helter-skelter”. “On inquiry, the villagers said people have assembled at Chirudih village. On reaching Chirudih, we found assembly of big crowd on either side of the Banspahari-Rajaiya confluence. On one bank of the river, towards Chirudih, we found the assembly of non-tribals armed with deadly weapons including firearms under the banner of CPI flag. On the other side of the river, towards Gargudih village, there was an assembly of tribals armed with bows, arrows and other weapons. Sounds of gun-shots were coming from the non-tribal side. In retaliation, the tribals were shooting arrows,” the report said.
The officials said in the report that they intervened and persuaded both the sides to go back. “With constant persuasion, repeated warnings and assurance of action against the law-breakers, both the sides started retreating. While the tribals started retreating towards Gangudih and Banka villages, the non-tribals went towards Chirudih and the situation was brought under control.”
But, in the meantime, they said, a group of tribals came running and informed that Santhal Tola of Tarni village was being ravaged by non-tribals and the houses were set on fire. They said they saw smoke in Santhal Tola and proceeded towards Tarni where they found straw heaps in the courtyard of Satya Tudu, Sarkhal Tudu and Ravan Tudu were set on fire.
The officials said while they were mobilising people to douse the fire, they heard gun-shots from the Chirudih village side. They then came out of Tarni and “saw Santhals running in batches” towards different tolas of Chirudih. “We also saw smoke and flames in the tolas. We intercepted the Santhal mob in the field between Chirudih and Rasiabhita. The mob was determined to attack Rasiabhita. They were shouting slogans “to do away with the ‘diku’ population and communist sympathisers”. The magistrate then declared the assembly as unlawful and asked the mob to disperse. “But the mob did not respond. There was no alternative than to open fire. Under these circumstances, the police were ordered to open 11 rounds of fire at an interval of ten minutes at 5.30 pm and 5.40 pm,” the FIR states. After the police opened fire, the mob fled, leaving behind drums and flags.
