Politics · India Bureau
Tribal activist Nisha Bhagat's last rites set for Gumla district
The Jharkhand activist, who died on November 6, had publicly accused the state government and land brokers of harassment. The BJP has called for a CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
LSN India ·
Final rites for Jharkhand tribal activist Nisha Bhagat are scheduled to take place in Gumla district, her home region in the state. Bhagat, a prominent voice for tribal land rights, passed away on November 6 following a period marked by allegations of official misconduct and harassment.
In the days preceding her death, Bhagat had made serious accusations during a Facebook Live broadcast, claiming she faced intimidation from both the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government and land brokers operating in the region. Her allegations centred on interference in tribal land matters and efforts to obstruct her activism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation take over the case, citing concerns about the circumstances leading to her death. The BJP's call for a CBI probe reflects heightened political tensions in Jharkhand around land rights and tribal welfare issues.
Bhagat's death has drawn attention to ongoing disputes over tribal land rights in Jharkhand, a state with significant indigenous populations. Her activism had focused on protecting tribal interests against what she characterized as exploitative practices by government officials and private land dealers.