Ranchi: The ruling JMM has started to mobilise its cadres at the district and block level by holding workshops to sensitise them ahead of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral roll in the state, which is expected to kick off soon.On Tuesday, JMM workers from 12 district units of Sahibganj, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, Deoghar, Jamtara, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Lohardaga, Gumla, Khunti and Simdega attended the meeting held at chief minister Hemant Soren’s residence, in the presence of senior party members. The meeting also focused on the Census. On Wednesday, workers from remaining 12 other districts will attend a meeting, party office-bearers in Ranchi said.
JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey told TOI, “While the party is not principally opposed to SIR, but the process which has led to removal of lakhs of voters in Bihar and Bengal owing to a particular party’s political agenda. We are readying our cadres to stay vigilant against any kind of illegal practices so that no genuine voter is left out.”He added that JMM has planned to conduct more such programmes at booth level as well.“In the coming days, workers will be trained through special campaigns at various levels, so that they can make people aware about voter list, Census and other sensitive issues,” he added.“Census is not merely a matter of statistics, but also an important issue related to social and political representation. Hence, it is necessary to ensure accurate enumeration of Jharkhand’s tribal, indigenous, backward and deprived communities, so that their rights can be protected,” Pandey said.Hemant, also the JMM president, asked the workers to take responsibility to ensure no genuine voter is left out during the SIR process.
