Jharkhand is currently celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Guwa firing incident, which was a terrible episode in the history of the region and still echoes with the people. Chief Minister Hemant Soren will pay tribute to the martyrs of the police firing of 1979 by visiting Guwa in West Singhbhum district. His visit is symbolic and emotional in nature because the event has been regarded as a landmark in the tribal fight over rights and justice, which later culminated in the formation of the Jharkhand state.
The Guwa firing was an event that happened on September 8, 1979, when the police fired at the tribesmen protesting for the land, forest and job opportunities. Multiple lives were lost, and many families were destroyed. The martyrs of the Jharkhand movement have, over the years, been remembered as those who died. Their martyrdom is regarded as a turning point that intensified the determination of the people towards having their own state and being acknowledged more for their tribal rights.
In memory of the 45th anniversary of the event, Chief Minister Hemant Soren will take part in a tribute ceremony at the memorial location in Guwa. He will be required to pay respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the cause of justice and honour by paying tribute in the form of flowers. The Chief Minister will also visit the families of the martyrs and listen to their grievances, as well as give them assurances of the state government to support them, in addition to the ceremonial homage. It is believed that his engagement can help to offer new attention to welfare programs and benefits to the relatives of the people who perished in the accident.
The firing incident that took place in Guwa is not only recalled as a suppression of the state but also an event marking in social-political awareness of Jharkhand. The anniversary is an eye-opener each year to remind the world of the sacrifices made by common tribal citizens who struggled in defence of their rights against exploitation and marginalization. The leadership of the state, by paying an official tribute and unity on the day, enhances its dedication to the preservation of the legacy of the martyrs and to respond to the needs of the tribal community.
The commemoration of the day in Guwa on the 24th of May is a good occasion to look forward to as the state recalls the past. The very presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren lends credence to the fact that the need to pay tribute to history and ensure that justice, development and dignity are achieved among all the tribal groups of Jharkhand is not yet over.
