Jharkhand’s Leader of Opposition and BJP State President, Babulal Marandi, has strongly criticized the state government over the escalating crime rates and the emboldened criminal elements. Marandi highlighted that the ‘levy’ or extortion racket is running rampant across Jharkhand. From Dhanbad, Bokaro, and Jamshedpur, the terror network has now reached the state capital, Ranchi, allegedly operating under the name of an elusive criminal hiding abroad. During recent visits to various regions, residents of Bokaro, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and other areas shared harrowing accounts of this pervasive fear. Several prominent businessmen, speaking cautiously, revealed they have been demanded sums ranging from 5 to 10 crore rupees, but are too afraid to even reveal their identities. The severity of the situation is underscored by a recent threat to a renowned doctor in Ranchi demanding millions in ransom, raising serious questions about the collapse of law and order. Marandi asserted that the state government possesses the capability to apprehend criminals even if they are hiding overseas. If apprehending the primary suspect is proving difficult, he urged for the immediate arrest of their local associates. He suggested two possibilities: either this entire criminal enterprise operates with the direct patronage of the Chief Minister and senior police officials, allowing them to orchestrate threats and collections at will, or the government and police are paralyzed by fear and weakness, unable to act against this terror. Merchants and doctors in the state are currently living under a constant shadow of fear. Marandi issued a stern warning, demanding immediate action against the criminals and their incarceration, failing which the opposition will assume complicity of the government in this extortion business.
