Jamshedpur: Remembering the sacrifices made in the struggle for Jharkhand’s rights and identity, chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1980 Gua firing incident.In a post on X, Hemant said that while the martyrs were no longer among us, their struggle, sacrifice and aspirations would continue to inspire future generations. He said Jharkhand had always been a land of brave men and women who fought for jal (water), jangal (forests), zameen (land) and their rights.“From the martyrs of the Gua firing incident to the countless heroes of the Jharkhand movement, the brave men and women of this soil made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our identity and rights,” he said.The CM was scheduled to visit the Shaheed Sthal at Gua in West Singhbhum district to pay homage to the 11 tribals killed in police firing in Sept 1980, when the region was part of undivided Bihar. However, he couldn’t attend the programme as he is in Hyderabad for treatment of his mother, Rupi.Several public representatives and officials gathered at the memorial on Tuesday to pay their respects. Revenue, land reforms and transport minister Deepak Birua laid floral wreaths at the site, while Singhbhum MP Joba Majhi also paid tribute to the martyrs.During the programme, speakers recalled the sacrifices of those killed in the firing and highlighted their role in the broader Jharkhand movement. Participants observed a minute’s silence in their memory.Following the memorial event, participants proceeded to Birsa Chowk in Gua and garlanded the statue of tribal icon Birsa Munda.
