# **Tribal Groups Warn of National Highway Blockade; Water Cannons and Vajra Vehicles Deployed in Raniganj**
**Raniganj:** Raniganj remained under heavy security on Tuesday morning following a large gathering of tribal community members, with the administration taking extensive measures to prevent any march from reaching National Highway 19.
Barricades have been erected at several locations, while police personnel in riot-control gear, combat forces, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and specialised teams of central forces have been deployed. Water cannons and Vajra vehicles have also been kept ready in anticipation of a large protest.
From early Tuesday morning, hundreds of tribal men, women and young people began gathering in the **Punjabi More area of Raniganj**. The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate has reportedly put extensive security arrangements in place across the area.
### **Why Are the Tribal Groups Protesting?**
The protesters are demanding that their **seven-point charter of demands** be addressed. They want to march along National Highway 19 to the **District Magistrate’s office in Asansol** to submit their demands.
Their key demands include:
1. **Immediate recruitment to 12 permanent posts** at the hostel of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Residential School.
2. **Restoration of the feeder grant** for the PRMMS English Medium School in Kanksa, which has reportedly remained suspended since 2017.
3. **Land rights and an appropriate rehabilitation package** for tribal families before the expansion of ECL’s OCP at Shaldanga in Jamuria.
4. **Adequate compensation and rehabilitation** for villagers affected by the open-cast coal mine.
5. **Recognition and approval of the Bangshgara East Gram Sabha** under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
6. **Employment for 27 families** who lost their land for the IQ City project.
7. **Inclusion of all tribal voters whose names were excluded from SIR 2026**, ensuring their right to vote.
### **Police and Protesters at Odds**
Senior police officials have stated that marching along the national highway could pose a safety risk. The administration has therefore proposed transporting the protesters by bus to their designated destination.
However, members of the tribal organisations have reportedly rejected the proposal and remain firm on their demand to **march on foot along the national highway** to the District Magistrate’s office.
With both sides yet to reach an agreement, **tension remains high in Raniganj**. Police and the administration are maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incident and ensure public safety.
