Ex-Speaker slams JMM-led govt; BJP burns effigy of CM

The BJP today burnt an effigy of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in protest against "intolerance to democracy" and its "dictatorial attitude", former Assembly Speaker C P Singh said here today.
"Party leaders marched to the Elbert Ekka Chowk and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister, whose government has become intolerant to democracy and has developed dictatorial attitude," Singh told reporters after the burning the effigy.
Reacting sharply against alleged police atrocities against party leaders during its demonstration yesterday, Singh said everyone has the right to protest in a democratic manner.
"But yesterday our right was snatched by the police who resorted to lathi charge, burst tear gas shells and sprayed polluted water on peaceful demonstrators. It is condemnable in a democratic system," Singh added.

The police had said about 3,000 demonstrators attacked the HEC gate near the state Assembly and climbed over it, forcing them to use tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd and also claimed that there was no cane charge.
Besides Singh, former External Affairs minister Yashwant Sinha, former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, ex-deputy Chief Minister Raghuvar Das and several other BJP leaders were present during the demonstration, which was called to protest against alleged corruption, misgovernance and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.