Tribal Groups Enforce Jharkhand Bandh Protesting Killing of Village Head Soma Munda

On January 17, 2026, over 20 tribal organizations enforced a bandh across several Jharkhand districts, including Khunti, Simdega, Chaibasa, and Gumla, protesting the killing of Soma Munda, a village head and 2024 Assembly election candidate from the Abua Jharkhand Party. Demonstrators blocked roads and closed shops, while authorities deployed additional security to maintain peace. Tribal leaders demand the arrest of the main accused, whom police say remain at large despite seven arrests.