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Anti-domicile protestors
lock up top officials

Employees of the state secretariat in Ranchi, those opposed to the Jharkhand government's domicile policy, on Monday locked up top officials, including the chief secretary and the home secretary, in their cabins for over three hours.

They were demanding adequate protection from pro-domicile groups.

At least five persons were killed and 25 injured on July 24 when violence and arson marred a dawn-to-dusk Jharkhand bandh called by pro-domicile groups.

The employees kept the officials confined to their rooms from noon to 3 pm.

The employees' action forced Home Secretary Sushma Singh to put off her visit to New Delhi.

The employees, shouting slogans against Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, alleged that despite their repeated requests the authorities had not invited them to talks.

Chief Secretary V S Dubey, however, denied the allegation. ''I have called them at least 10 times. If they don't clarify what security they need, how can I know? I even asked them to meet the chief minister, but they refused,'' he said.

Meanwhile, BJP vice-president Kailashpati Mishra on Monday accused Christian missionaries of provoking violence during pro and anti-domicile bandhs in Jharkhand.

He said there was evidence that Christian missionaries had provided mobile phones and sheltered trouble-makers during the bandhs, he told reporters in Ranchi.

PTI

ALSO SEE:
All-party meeting on domicile row on August 1

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