Khunti (Jharkhand), Jan 8 (NationPress) A complete shutdown was observed in Jharkhand's Khunti district on Thursday, sparked by the tragic murder of Padha Raja Som Munda, a well-known tribal leader. Various tribal organizations orchestrated the district-wide bandh, leading to significant disruptions in daily activities.

From the early hours, villagers and protestors flooded the streets, obstructing major thoroughfares throughout the district. Shops, markets, and educational establishments remained closed, while public transportation was entirely halted.

The bandh brought daily life in Khunti to a grinding halt, with supporters staging sit-ins and blocking roads by setting tires ablaze.

Chanting slogans, members of tribal groups and local citizens urgently called for the immediate apprehension of those responsible for Som Munda’s assassination and demanded swift justice for his bereaved family. The incident has left the community rife with anger and tension.

To maintain peace, senior police and administrative officials were dispatched to sensitive areas to oversee the situation and engage with demonstrators.

Som Munda was fatally shot by unidentified assailants late Wednesday evening in the vicinity of the Khunti police station.

As per police reports, he was returning to his village, Chalangi, on a motorcycle alongside his wife when the attack occurred near a pond in Jamuadag. Two assailants on another motorcycle overtook them and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, with one bullet striking Som Munda in the chest.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, Som Munda attempted to ride towards Khunti but collapsed en route as his condition worsened. The attackers fled toward Mandarutoli after the incident.

His wife reported that she received help from a passing tractor and later reached the Khunti police station via auto-rickshaw to notify the authorities. Police promptly arrived at the scene and transported Som Munda to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

DSP Varun Rajak announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed due to the seriousness of the case. Raids are currently underway at suspected hideouts to track down the perpetrators.

The administration has urged the public to maintain calm, assuring that a thorough investigation is being conducted and that those responsible will be brought to justice without delay.

Som Munda was a highly regarded figure within the tribal community, recognized as a Padha Raja (traditional tribal chief). He also served as a leader of the Jharkhand Party, was an education advocate, and acted as the convener of the Tribal Coordination Committee in Khunti.

The Tribal Coordination Committee has labeled his murder a “social and political conspiracy.”

As an additional precaution, extra police forces have been stationed throughout the district, and the administration is vigilantly monitoring the situation. Further investigations are ongoing.