Ranchi Murder Sparks Statewide Revenue Staff Protest

A wave of anger has swept through the revenue department in Jharkhand after the murder of Revenue Sub-Inspector Laxmikant Munda in Ranchi. Revenue staff across the state observed a one-day pen-down strike on Thursday, demanding the arrest of those responsible and assured protection for officials in the field.

Munda, who was posted in the Argoda anchal, was found dead at his residence in Namkum on October 24. His death has become a rallying point for revenue employees, who say the incident highlights the risks they face while carrying out their responsibilities.

The protest has disrupted official work throughout Jharkhand. Anchal offices, land reforms sub-deputy collector offices and district revenue branches have stopped functioning. Mutation cases, land measurement, and certificate issuance have all been put on hold, causing serious inconvenience to members of the public who depend on these services.

Two senior leaders of the Jharkhand State Revenue Sub-Inspector Association, chief patron Bharat Sinha and general secretary Durgesh Munda, have announced that the agitation will continue. In a joint statement, they said revenue inspectors, revenue sub-inspectors and anchal amins from across the department had united in the protest.

The association has made it clear that the movement will not stop until the killers are exposed and jailed and robust security arrangements are guaranteed for revenue workers. It has also cautioned the government that any delay or laxity in action by police and administration could lead to an indefinite total strike across the state.

A high-level emergency meeting of the association has been scheduled for Thursday evening, once the pen-down strike concludes. The meeting will be used to finalise the plan and strategy for intensifying the agitation.

Investigators have noted injury marks on Munda's head. The CCTV DVR from his house and his mobile phone were found missing. As of now, no arrest has been made in the case.