Ranchi: RJD and All India Students’ Association (AISA) staged separate demonstrations in the city on Sunday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other issues.RJD workers burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CEC, alleging irregularities in the SIR process, “vote theft”, removal of the OBC column and issues linked to the Mines and Minerals Development Regulations Amendment Act.Addressing the protesters, RJD spokesperson Kailash Yadav claimed that implementation of the Act would cause an annual loss of Rs 13,000 crore to Jharkhand and affect welfare schemes such as Maiyyan Samman Yojna. He also alleged that SIR had led to deletion of 13 crore voters across the country, violating their constitutional rights.The party demanded dismissal of CEC and restoration of names of voters allegedly removed during SIR in Bihar, West Bengal and other states. RJD also announced a torchlight procession in the HEC area on Oct 8 over SIR, MMDR and the OBC column issue.AISA members held a protest at Albert Ekka Chowk against Saturday’s alleged lathi-charge on women journalists and protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. AISA district president Vijay demanded an FIR against police personnel accused of using force. District secretary Sanjana Mehta said protests against attempts to suppress women’s voices were being held across the country.
