Ramgarh: CM Hemant Soren on Tuesday paid tribute to his father and former CM Shibu Soren on his first death anniversary at Lukaiyatand, near the family’s ancestral village of Nemra in Ramgarh district’s Gola block.Hemant, accompanied by his mother Rupi Soren, wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren, cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs and members of the ruling alliance, unveiled a 14-ft statue of Shibu, popularly known as Dishom Guru.Thousands of people from across the state, including members of the Santhal community in traditional attire, attended the ceremony at Lukaiyatand, around 45 km from the district headquarters.The site holds emotional and political significance for the Soren family. It is near the place where Hemant’s grandfather, Sobran Soren, was allegedly killed by moneylenders. The incident prompted Shibu to launch a movement against the exploitation of tribal people, which later became part of the struggle for a separate state.“This is not a time to deliver a speech, but to draw inspiration from the life and vision of Shibu Soren, who devoted his life to securing the rights of tribal people and others facing exploitation by anti-social elements,” Hemant said.Ministers Radha Krishana Kishore, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Yogendra Prasad and Dipika Pandey Singh, MP Mahua Maji, local MLA Mamta Devi and several senior leaders attended the programme.The CM also inaugurated development projects worth Rs 5 crore and distributed assets among beneficiaries of flagship govt schemes at a Vikas Mela organised by the district administration to mark the occasion.Chief secretary Avinash Kumar, Ramgarh deputy commissioner Rituraj, superintendent of police Mukesh Kumar Lunayat and other senior officials were present.
