Three Former Jharkhand Chief Ministers Pay Last Respects to Nisha Bhagat, Demand CBI Probe

Gumla: The death of tribal activist Nisha Bhagat has triggered widespread grief and anger across Gumla and neighbouring areas. On Saturday, her funeral procession was taken out amid protests, drawing a large number of people. Participants raised slogans such as “Nisha Bhagat Amar Rahe” and “Jharkhand Government Murdabad”. Demonstrators also staged protests against the state government at Tower Chowk in Gumla town.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda reached Gumla on Saturday afternoon and joined the procession. He said Nisha Bhagat had consistently raised her voice against land brokers and the system. She had also sought protection, but her appeals allegedly went unheeded. Koda claimed that she had been harassed by land brokers and said the agitation would continue until those responsible were punished.

Another former Chief Minister, Raghubar Das, described Nisha Bhagat's death as unfortunate and said it raised serious questions about the functioning of the system. He said Bhagat had been actively campaigning against religious conversion and land brokers. According to Das, the lack of government action on the issues she raised and the alleged mental pressure exerted by the system had contributed to her taking the extreme step. He demanded an investigation into the incident, saying it had raised serious questions about the state government's functioning.

On Saturday, Bhagat's mortal remains were brought to her ancestral village of Uru Bardih in Chainpur for the last rites. Thousands of people gathered to pay their final respects. Former Jharkhand Chief Ministers Babulal Marandi, Madhu Koda and Raghubar Das also reached the village and bid her an emotional farewell. Several senior leaders from the BJP and JMM were present to express their condolences to the bereaved family.

After paying tribute, Babulal Marandi met Bhagat's family members. Speaking to the media, he said she had been raising her voice against religious conversion, land mafias and corruption. He alleged that her activism had become a source of concern for the state government.

Marandi demanded the immediate arrest of those whose names, including that of Pithoria police station in-charge and Ajay Tirkey, were allegedly mentioned in Bhagat's live video. He also called for a CBI investigation into the entire case. He further said that if the government was unable to manage the state, it should resign.

Security arrangements were tightened at Bhagat's ancestral residence and in the surrounding areas. The village remained steeped in grief as thousands gathered to pay their respects.

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