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JMM-RJD on collision course over Vananchal

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is gearing up for a direct confrontation with the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar by deciding to oppose the latter's proposed Bihar bandh on December 14 on the issue of the formation of a separate state. The Morcha has instead called for a Jharkhand bandh on December 13 in protest against the Centre's apathy and to demand for the passage of the Bihar State Reorganisation Bill in Parliament's ongoing winter session.

According to Morcha sources an announcement in this regard was made by party president Shibu Soren during a meeting held yesterday at Katrasgarh for the unification of the two Morcha factions -- the JMM (Soren) and the JMM (Ulgulan) lead by Krishna Mardi. A parliamentary board was also constituted at the meeting which, however, did not include Morcha (S) vice-president Suraj Mandal, the sources added.

The Morcha has also decided to hold a ''maharally''in Dhanbad on December 30 to press for the state's creation and to launch an indefinite agitation for it. The RJD, which is opposing the creation of a separate state comprising 18 districts of south Bihar, has also demanded a referendum on the issue of Bihar's bifurcation. The RJD has also decided to launch a signature campaign to oppose the state's formation and to demand for the abrogation of Article 3 which provides for the creation of the new states by bifurcating the existing ones.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Peoples Party and the All Jharkhand Students Union, which had supported the BJP during the last Lok Sabha elections, have announced a bandh in the entire Jharkhand region tomorrow in protest against the reported non-inclusion of the statehood bill in the agenda for Parliament's ongoing winter session. The Congress has also announced its decision to oppose the RJD's proposed Bihar bandh on December 14.

Congress leaders Roshan Lal Bhatiya and Shailesh Kumar Sinha have threatened to launch a rigorous movement in the area for the realisation of statehood. Similarly, the Jharkhand National Students Union of India has threatened direct action if the Bihar State Reorganisation Bill is not introduced in Parliament's winter session.

UNI

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